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US Destroyer Collides With Tanker in Gulf

USS Porter still operating under own power, damage being assessed

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 12, 2012 6:43 AM CDT

(AP) – The US Navy says one of its guided-missile destroyers collided with an oil tanker early today but that no one was injured in the accident. The collision involving the USS Porter and the Panamanian-flagged bulk oil tanker M/V Otowasan occurred at approximately 1am local time, the US Navy said in a statement. The damage to the Porter is being evaluated and the incident is under investigation, the Navy added.

The USS Porter is on a scheduled deployment to the US 5th Fleet, which is based in Bahrain. The Strait of Hormuz, located at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, is where one-fifth of the world's oil is routed. Tensions have risen there over Iran's threats to block tanker traffic in retaliation for tighter sanctions by the West.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter, which collided with oil tanker M/V Otowasan early today near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter, which collided with oil tanker M/V Otowasan early today near the Strait of Hormuz.   (AP Photo/US Navy, Seaman Harry Andrew D. Gordon)
In this image provided by the US Navy a pirate skiff burns after being hit by several rounds from the guided missile destroyer USS Porter.
In this image provided by the US Navy a pirate skiff burns after being hit by several rounds from the guided missile destroyer USS Porter.   (AP Photo/US Navy)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 25 comments
Flatus_Antiquus
Aug 13, 2012 9:46 PM CDT
This is a 160 THOUSAND TON tanker.  If it was loaded it's just a little more maneuverable than a skyscraper.   I've seen pics of the Porter, with damage at the main deck level around the bridge on the starboard side.  It's just about where you'd get scuffed if you glanced off the starboard bow of a loaded tanker and got fouled in an anchor. How in the hell does one of the most modern, best equipped naval ships in the world strike a thousand foot long, 160 thousand ton TANKER? Someone was "messin' around."
Plato
Aug 12, 2012 5:25 PM CDT
Captain Queeg.
Smegma
Aug 12, 2012 2:38 PM CDT
That's what happens when you hire republicans.  They know how to fuck shit up.

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