Son yıllarda artan denizaltı kazalarına bugün (20.03.2009) sabah saatlerinde bir yenisi daha eklendi: Hürmüz Boğazı'nda seyreden ABD Deniza Kuvvetleri'ne ait Los Angeles sınıfı nükleer saldırı denizaltısı USS SSN-768 Hartford ile San Antonio sınıfı amfibi çıkarma gemisi USS LPD-18 New Orleans çarpıştı. Kazada Hartford denizaltısındaki 15 mürettebatın hafif yaralandığı bildiriliyor. Her iki gemi de halen kendi tahrik sistemlerini kullanarak seyretmekteymiş, ancak New Orleans'tan, hasar alan yakıt tankı nedeniyle denize 25 bin galondan fazla mazot sızmış. Hartford'da herhangi bir nükleer yakıt sızıntısı rapor edilmemiş. New Orleans, ABD Deniz Kuvvetleri'nin en modern çıkarma gemilerinden biriydi.Two U.S. Navy Vessels Collide in the Strait of Hormuz
From Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs MANAMA, Bahrain – A U.S. Navy submarine and U.S. amphibious ship collided in the Strait of Hormuz early Friday morning, March 20, 2009. The collision between USS Hartford (SSN 768) and USS New Orleans (LPD 18) occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. local time (5:00 p.m. EDT, March 19). Fifteen sailors aboard the Hartford were slightly injured and returned to duty. No personnel aboard New Orleans were injured. Overall damage to both ships is being evaluated. The propulsion plant of the submarine was unaffected by this collision. New Orleans suffered a ruptured fuel tank, which resulted in an oil spill of approximately 25,000 gallons of diesel fuel marine. Both ships are currently operating under their own power. The incident is currently under investigation. Both the submarine and the ship are currently on regularly scheduled deployments to the U.S. 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.
http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/articles/2009/046.html
