The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman was involved in a collision with a merchant ship near Egypt in the Mediterranean Sea on Wednesday night, according to a Navy spokesperson. The collision occurred between the US warship and the Panamanian-flagged vessel Besiktas-M, but fortunately, it did not result in any flooding on board the Truman, and its nuclear propulsion plants were unaffected. No injuries were reported on either vessel, although the merchant ship sustained some damage.
An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the collision. The incident took place in an area near the Suez Canal that is typically densely packed with ships. The Besiktas-M, a 617-foot long bulk carrier, had just exited the Suez Canal and was en route to Romania, while the Truman, a 1,100-foot-long Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, was heading towards the canal.
Marine experts have highlighted the challenges of navigating in such congested waters. The area where the collision occurred, near an anchorage off Egypt’s Port Said, reportedly had around 100 ships present at the time. Former US Navy captain Carl Schuster emphasized the limited room for maneuvering in such restricted seaways, noting that both ships require about one nautical mile to come to a stop.
Last week, the Truman had been in Souda Bay, Greece, for a 'working port visit' following two months of combat operations in the Central Command region. The carrier conducted multiple strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen and launched airstrikes against ISIS in Somalia during that time. The Truman is one of 11 aircraft carriers in the US Navy fleet.
Accidents involving large ships and commercial vessels are rare, as carriers typically travel with a protective screen of destroyers. However, the single-file requirement for ships entering the Suez Canal could potentially increase the risk of collisions, experts have suggested.
The incident involving the Truman and the Besiktas-M is a reminder of the potential dangers in busy maritime traffic areas. While such accidents are infrequent, they underscore the importance of vigilance and precise navigation in ensuring the safety of all vessels at sea.
