Navy Ships Collide Off Southern California Coast

The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) steams in formation with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Ship JS Hyuga (DDH 181) on April 6, 2011

Two Navy ships collided at sea off the California coast Wednesday morning, Navy officials said.

USS Essex collided with USNS Yukon during a replenishment operation about 120 miles off the coast of Southern California.

Officials believe a steering malfunction in the Essex caused the collision.

No one was injured and no oil was spilled, but the two ships sustained some damage, a statement read. The extent of the damage is unknown at this time.

USNS Yukon is one of the Military Sealift Command's fifteen Fleet Replenishment Oilers. It is about 677.5 feet long.

USS Essex is an amphibious assault ship, about 840 feet long.

"The Navy will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the collision, and a full assessment of any damage is ongoing," a statement read.

Essex is scheduled to return to San Diego Thursday after completing 12 years in Sasebo, Japan. The crew of USS Bonhomme Richard took over Essex last month. Navy officials say the homecoming is still planned for Thursday, despite the damage.

This is not the first collision for USNS Yukon. In 2000, one of the Yukon fleet oilers was hit by an amphibious transport ship, a Navy press release stated.


Source: Navy Ships Collide Off Southern California Coast | NBC San Diego