Navy Sub and Merchant Vessel Collide

The Navy issued a report in response to the collision involving a Navy submarine and merchant vessel. According to the Navy's report, no U.S. sailors or merchant crew were injured when a U.S. Navy submarine and a commercial cargo vessel collided in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening January 8, 2007. The collision between USS Newport News (SSN 750) and the Japanese-flagged motor vessel Mogamigawa occurred at approximately 10:15 in the evening (local time) in the strait of Hormuz while the submarine was transiting submerged. Overall damage to the USS Newport News is being evaluated. The propulsion plant was unaffected by this collision. The incident is currently under investigation. USS Newport News is currently on a regularly scheduled deployment to the US Navy Central Command area of responsibility conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, or other material. Source: U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs