USS Harry S. Truman collides with merchant vessel in Mediterranean Sea
- The USS Harry S. Truman collided with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M near Port Said, Egypt, on February 12, 2025.
- There were no injuries reported among the crew of either vessel, and no flooding occurred on the carrier.
- The collision is currently under investigation, and the aircraft carrier's future operations remain uncertain.
The USS Harry S. Truman, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, was involved in a collision with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M near Port Said, Egypt, on the night of February 12, 2025. The incident occurred while both ships were under way at approximately 11:46 PM local time. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or flooding aboard the carrier, which has a crew of around 5,000 sailors. The collision involved the 100,000-ton aircraft carrier hitting the Panamanian-flagged cargo ship weighing 53,000 tons, resulting in damage above the waterline on the Truman but leaving its propulsion systems unaffected. The U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet confirmed the event, stating that the collision occurred as the Truman was waiting to enter the Suez Canal to transit back into the Red Sea. Following the incident, an investigation is underway, and it remains unclear what impact, if any, the collision will have on the carrier's future operations. The Navy has assured the public that the carrier's propulsion plants were stable and that the ship will not require significant repairs at this time. The Truman was operating in the Red Sea as part of a mission aimed at countering Houthi militant attacks from Yemen, which have threatened commercial shipping routes in the area. This particular carrier had been engaged in operations since its deployment from Norfolk, Virginia, in September 2024, and had served in various missions, including airstrikes against ISIS in Somalia. Despite the unfortunate incident, the USS Harry S. Truman and its strike group had recently arrived at a naval base in Crete, Greece, for a short respite after almost two months of continuous operations. While the carrier is now facing an investigation regarding the collision, Rear Admiral Sean Bailey, command of the carrier strike group, had previously noted the vessel's adaptability and readiness for future operations. This incident highlights the challenges faced by military vessels operating in congested maritime traffic areas.