COLLISION OF USS HARTFOLD AND USS NEW ORLEANS

Early today, Friday, Navy Officials said, the US submarine, USS Hartfold (SNN 768) and US amphibious ship, USS New Orleans (LPD 18) collided in Strait of Hormuz near Iran that occurred approximately at 1:00 a.m. local time in the Middle East or about 5:00 p.m. Thursday, EDT.

The collision damaged both vessels and causing minor injuries of Fifteen sailors aboard the USS Hartfold while no reported injuries aboard the amphibious ship, USS New Orleans. There were about 200 sailors aboard the submarine and 1,000 Marine sailors aboard the amphibious ship.

The strait is between the United Arab Emirates and Iran linking the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf which is heavily used by oil tankers.

The New Orleans lost 25,000 gallons of diesel fuel from one of the three punctures of its hull. Navy Spokesman Lt. Nate Christensen said, "Obviously the Strait of Hormuz is a very active shipping lane. We are trying to evaluate the extent of the spill."

Both vessels are on regularly scheduled deployments to the U.S. Navy Central Command area of responsibility conducting Maritime Security Operations. The vessels were able to operate under their own power after the collision.