Navy Submarine, Cruiser Collide Off Of East Coast

A Navy submarine and cruiser collided on Saturday afternoon off of the coast of northeastern Florida, though no injuries were reported.

A Navy statement about the crash stated that the submarine USS Montpelier (SSN 765) and the Aegia cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) collided around 3:30 pm eastern time, according to ABC News.

The Navy’s statement elaborated that there were no injuries reported on either vessel, and that the submarine’s nuclear power reactor “was unaffected by this collision.”

An official with the Navy stated that the two ships were participating in a “group sail” at the time of the collision, along with another vessel. Together the three ships were working on an anti-submarine exercise in preparation for an upcoming deployment as part of the strike group for the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier.

The official explained that around 3:30 pm, the bridge watch on the San Jacinto spotted the submarine Montpelier rise to periscope depth about 100 to 200 yards ahead of them. While the bridge ordered an “all back,” they still collided with the sub.

NBC News notes that the two ships involved in the collision are both operating under their own power. Collisions between NAvy submarines and surface warships are rare, but can occasionally happen.

The last occurrence was in March 2009 when the submarine USS Hartford suffered severe damage to its Con tower after it collided with the amphibious transport ship USS New Orleans in the Strait of Hormuz. The investigation afterwards found fault with the commanders aboard the submarine over the collision. Several officers and crew members aboard the submarine were later disciplined for their roles in the accident.

An investigation is expected to see why the submarine and cruiser collided off of the east coast.