BREAKING: Two U.S. Navy Ships Collide Near South America, Two Sailors Injured
A high-stakes naval refueling operation turned into a minor collision between the USS Truxtun and USNS Supply. Get the latest details on the incident and the SOUTHCOM investigation.
In a tense but fortunately minor incident, two U.S. Navy vessels collided Wednesday while performing a high-stakes refueling maneuver in waters near South America.
The USS Truxtun, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, and the USNS Supply, a fast combat support ship, made contact during a routine replenishment-at-sea (UNREP) operation. The maneuver involves ships sailing close alongside each other to transfer fuel and supplies while underway, one of the most precise and demanding tasks in naval operations.
According to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the collision, two sailors sustained minor injuries and are in stable condition.
Both ships remain seaworthy and are continuing their missions without interruption. No major structural damage or flooding has been reported.
U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) confirmed the incident is under full investigation. A spokesman, Col. Emmanuel Ortiz, stated: “Two people reported minor injuries and are in stable condition, and both ships have reported that they are able to continue sailing safely. The cause of the collision isn’t yet clear.”
The ships are operating in a heavily trafficked zone as part of a major U.S. naval buildup in the SOUTHCOM area, the largest since the Cold War. The mission focuses on cracking down on drug trafficking in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
There are currently 12 U.S. warships in the region, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group.The USS Truxtun had only recently deployed from its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia (departing around February 6 after a brief equipment repair delay), making this one of its first major operational activities.
Navy ship collisions are rare, especially in open waters, but they always trigger serious reviews of training, fatigue, weather, and procedures. This one appears far less severe than the deadly 2017 incidents involving the USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain.
The story is still developing as the investigation continues. No further updates on the exact cause or location coordinates have been released yet.