Newly released images reveal the extent of the damage sustained by the USS Harry S. Truman following its collision with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M in the Mediterranean Sea earlier this week.
The U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet published the photographs on Saturday, showing visible damage on the aircraft carrier’s starboard side near the stern. A pipe running along the exterior of the vessel appears to be severely impacted.
According to a statement from the Navy’s Sixth Fleet Public Affairs, the incident occurred at approximately 11:46 p.m. local time on February 12 while the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was operating near Port Said, Egypt.
Despite the collision, the Navy confirmed that the Harry S. Truman remained operational, with no reported flooding or injuries. The ship’s propulsion systems were not affected and remain in a stable condition.
The Navy has launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.
As one of the Navy’s key assets, the USS Harry S. Truman is designed for a broad range of missions, including maritime security operations, crisis response, sea control, and power projection. The carrier’s embarked air wing is capable of delivering tactical air power over land and sea while providing defense against aerial, surface, and subsurface threats.
Further updates on the investigation and potential operational impacts are expected in due course.
