Egypt: US Navy Carrier Collides with Merchant Ship Near Suez. USS Harry S., a US Navy carrier. Truman collided with a ship near Suez. According to Navy officials, The incident occurred in the Mediterranean Sea on Wednesday night
The Truman, a nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, was traveling toward the Suez Canal when it collided with the Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier Besiktas-M. The cause of the accident remains unclear. However, the Truman’s nuclear propulsion system was not affected, and there was no flooding reported on board.
While no crew members were injured, the merchant ship sustained some damage. Investigators are working to determine how the vessels collided. Experts say that the waters near the Suez Canal are often congested, making navigation difficult.
Crowded Waters Near Suez Canal
The collision occurred near Port Said, Egypt, an area where around 100 ships were anchored at the time. Marine expert Sal Mercogliano noted that in such crowded conditions, even minor navigation errors can lead to serious incidents.
Former US Navy Captain Carl Schuster explained that ships in restricted waterways have limited maneuvering space. Large vessels like the Truman and the Besiktas-M require at least one nautical mile to stop, leaving little room for error.
Truman’s Recent Military Operations
Before the incident, the USS Harry S. Truman had been conducting military operations in the Central Command region. The carrier launched airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen and ISIS targets in Somalia. It had recently stopped at Souda Bay, Greece, for a short maintenance visit.
Rare but Not Unprecedented
Collisions between US Navy aircraft carriers and merchant ships are uncommon. Carriers typically travel with a protective fleet, reducing the chances of accidents. However, vessels passing through the Suez Canal must move in single file, increasing collision risks.
The last known collision involving a US carrier occurred in 2004 when a dhow struck the USS John F. Kennedy in the Persian Gulf. Additionally, two US Navy destroyers, the USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain, were involved in fatal collisions in 2017.
Conclusion
The USS Harry S. Truman’s collision with the Besiktas-M highlights the challenges of navigating congested waterways. While no injuries were reported, the incident underscores the need for caution in high-traffic maritime zones. Officials are investigating the accident’s cause.
