In brief
The U.S.S. Harry S. Truman, operating in the Mediterranean and recently involved in airstrikes in Yemen, collided with a Panamanian-flagged merchant vessel near Egypt. Investigations are ongoing but no injuries were reported.
The U.S.S. Harry S. Truman, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel in the Mediterranean Sea near Port Said, Egypt, late Wednesday night. Navy officials confirmed that the incident occurred while the Truman was under the operational command of the U.S. Central Command, where it has been deployed since mid-December to support operations in Yemen. The aircraft carrier had been launching airstrikes against Houthi militias, which have reportedly threatened civilian shipping operations in the region. Fortunately, no injuries or flooding have been reported aboard the Truman, with Navy spokespersons stating that the nuclear reactors powering the ship remain in a safe and stable state. The merchant ship involved in the incident, named the Besiktas-M, is a bulk carrier flying the Panamanian flag. Reports indicate that it was en route from Aqaba in Jordan to Constanta, Romania, at the time of the collision. According to the vessel tracking service Vessel Tracker, the crew on the Besiktas-M also reported no injuries following the collision.This incident marks a significant event in regards to Navy maritime safety, following a history of mishaps in recent years. The U.S. Navy has been working diligently to improve maritime operations after two separate collisions in 2017 claimed the lives of 17 sailors due to various errors. The results of the ongoing investigation into Wednesday's incident will likely focus on understanding the conditions leading to the collision and preventing future occurrences.
