U.S. Navy nuclear sub involved in Strait of Hormuz collision
The submarine that late Monday collided with a Japanese oil tanker was the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered sub 'USS Newport News.' No U.S. sailors or merchant crew were injured, the Navy reported.
The incident occurred when the 160,229-gross-ton very large crude carrier (VLCC) 'Mogamigawa,' operated by Japanese shipping line 'K' Line, collided with the submarine in the 34-mile wide Strait of Hormuz bordered by Iran and Oman.
The Navy said the submarine was transiting submerged at the time of the collision, which it put at about 10:15 p.m. local time. 'K' Line earlier reported the time of the collision at 10:45 p.m.
The incident is under investigation, and damage to both ships is being evaluated. The Navy said the submarine's propulsion plant was unaffected, while 'K' Line's ship arrived in the Port of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates where a dent and hole were found on the bottom of the ballast tank. A temporary repair was made to stop seawater flowing into the ballast tank, and a repair plan will be made after another diver inspection due this morning, 'K' Line said.
The fast-attack 'Newport News' is part of a U.S.-led multinational task force patrolling the Persian Gulf and nearby seas. It has a crew of 127.
