The U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) reportedly collided with a Panamanian-flagged merchant vessel M/V Besiktas-M while operating in the waters of Mediterranean Sea.
According to an official statement from the U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet, the collision occurred on February 12 at 11:46 PM local time while the carrier was operating near the port of Said, Egypt.
🚨 BREAKING: U.S. NAVY AIRCRAFT CARRIER COLLIDES WITH MERCHANT SHIP
The USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, collided with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M near Port Said, Egypt, in the Mediterranean Sea at 11:46 p.m. local time on Feb. 12.
⚠️ No… pic.twitter.com/xExEnSkDpQ
— Western Intel (@TheWesternIntel) February 13, 2025
No injuries were reported among the crew of either vessel. The Navy said the collision did not result in significant damage or flooding aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, which carries a crew of 5,000 sailors.
However, U.S. media outlets including The War Zone reported that the carrier sustained “multiple large tears.”
The damage to the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, is on the starboard aft quarter, from the collision with the M/V Besiktas-M near the Suez Canal.
My guess is the damage on the bulk ship will be on her starboard forward quarter. pic.twitter.com/0iKxkq50Wa
— Mystic Rose (@Mystic_Red_Rose) February 14, 2025
At the time of the collision, the USS Harry S. Truman was awaiting transit into the Suez Canal to return to the Red Sea after a port visit to Souda Bay, Greece. The carrier had been operating in the Red Sea since mid-December as part of a mission to deter Houthi militant attacks on commercial vessels.
The incident is currently under investigation to determine the cause and assess any necessary corrective actions.
According to reports, the M/V Besiktas-M, a bulk carrier measuring over 550 feet in length with a deadweight of 53,000 tons, also sustained damage but remained operational. The vessel continued its voyage towards the Black Sea port of Constanta, Romania.
A photo released from one of the crew of #BesiktasM after the collision with #Truman.
It appears that Besiktas M hit the Truman with her starboard bow. Note the mooring line cable spool sheared off and the damage to the forward starboard hatch coaming.
This damage may indicate… https://t.co/MtXUhg7hSG pic.twitter.com/4I2jCGMrZA
— Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) 🚢⚓🐪🚒🏴☠️ (@mercoglianos) February 13, 2025
