USS Harry S. Truman Collides with Merchant Vessel in Mediterranean Sea

WASHINGTON — The USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) was involved in a collision with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M on Wednesday night while operating near Port Said, Egypt, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Navy‘s Sixth Fleet.

The incident occurred around 11:46 p.m. local time on February 12. Cmdr. Timothy Gorman confirmed in a statement that there were no injuries or flooding aboard the aircraft carrier, which has a crew of approximately 5,000 sailors.

"The collision did not endanger the Harry S. Truman as there are no reports of flooding or injuries. The propulsion plants are unaffected and in a safe and stable condition," Gorman said. The Navy has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

The Besiktas-M, a 53,000-ton Panamanian-flagged cargo ship, collided with the Truman, a Nimitz-class carrier weighing about 100,000 tons. Details about the impact of the collision on the merchant vessel remain unclear.

The Harry S. Truman has been deployed in the Mediterranean and Middle East since September 2024, responding to heightened tensions in the region following recent attacks on shipping. It had just completed a port call in Souda Bay, Greece.

The carrier operates as part of diverse missions that include maritime security operations, power projection, crisis response, and counter-terrorism efforts, according to Navy officials.

Past incidents involving U.S. Navy vessels have drawn intense scrutiny. For instance, in 2017, two Navy destroyers collided with merchant ships, resulting in the deaths of 17 sailors, leading to significant investigations into navigational errors and crew training.

Gorman stated that more information regarding the latest incident will be released as it becomes available. The Navy continues to operate in the Mediterranean amid ongoing security and military commitments in the face of regional instability.