Tue 31 Mar 2009, 17:37 GMT

US Navy investigates bunker spill


Two formal investigations will aim to determine how Strait of Hormuz collision took place.



Two U.S. Navy vessels that collided earlier this month, causing 25,000 gallons of diesel fuel to leak in the Strait of Hormuz, have been undergoing extensive engineering and damage assessments since pulling into Bahrain on March 21st, US Navy officials said Monday.

The amphibious assault ship USS New Orleans [pictured] and submarine USS Hartford collided on March 20th under conditions that have yet to be publicly explained.

Engineering and technical experts have now arrived in Bahrain to assess the damage to USS Hartford and USS New Orleans.

Investigators believe Hartford rolled approximately 85 degrees during the collision. Despite the roll, engineering investigations have confirmed the propulsion plant of the submarine was unaffected by this collision. However, it sustained damage to its sail and periscope, as well as the port bow plane.

New Orleans suffered a ruptured fuel tank. Divers have determined the resulting hole is approximately 16 by 18 feet in size. There was also interior damage to two ballast tanks.

In addition to the engineering efforts, two formal investigations are currently underway: a Safety Investigation and a Judge Advocate General Manual (JAGMAN) Investigation.

The Safety Investigation Board is appointed to identify hazards and their causal factors in serious incidents. Their report is an essential tool to identify causes to prevent recurrence.

The JAGMAN investigation is intended to provide a critical and objective overview of what happened.

Both investigations have a 30-day initial timeline, but extensions may be granted if more time is needed to complete the investigation process.

Hartford and New Orleans were on regularly scheduled deployments to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations conducting maritime security operations (MSO) when the accident occurred, the US navy said.


Person signing a document. Venture Energy signs green methanol supply deal with Shenji Energy  

Hong Kong-based firm to purchase ISCC EU-certified biomass-derived methanol for shipping clients.

Steel cutting ceremony of vessel with builder's hull no. CHB2060. Changhong International begins construction on second 11,400-teu LNG dual-fuel container ship  

Chinese shipbuilder starts work on vessel CHB2060, second of 18-ship series for Oceanroutes.

Keel-laying ceremony of Celsius. Keel laid for LNG bunkering vessel Celsius  

Turkish shipbuilder begins construction of dual-fuel bunkering vessel for Sirius Shipping and Gasum.

Marine ISTA alongside MSC Apollo vessel. Vitol’s Marine ISTA completes record 4,900 mt bunkering operation at Karachi Port  

Operation marks largest fuel supply at Pakistani port, highlighting potential for regional bunkering hub development.

Aurora Botnia vessel. Gasum and Wasaline extend bio-LNG supply agreement to 2027  

Nordic energy company renews fuel supply contract with Finnish-Swedish ferry operator through 2027.

Luminara vessel truck-to-ship bunkering. MOL Techno-Trade completes Japan’s first truck-to-ship LNG bunkering for foreign cruise vessel  

Ritz-Carlton cruise ship Luminara refuelled at Nagasaki Port using truck-to-ship method on 3 April.

NKT Eleonora vessel cable-laying. Methanol-ready cable-laying vessel hull launched in Romania  

Shipbuilder floats hull of dual-fuel vessel designed for offshore renewable energy cable operations.

Dr Prapisala Thepsithar, GCMD. GCMD biofuels lead receives Singapore standardisation award  

Dr Prapisala Thepsithar recognised for contributions to marine biofuel specification development.

Marine Energy Wales (MEW) Conference 2026 graphic. Certas Energy to attend Marine Energy Wales conference in April  

Marine fuel supplier to discuss sector solutions at UK marine renewable energy conference.

Dinamo IV vessel. Sanmar completes sea trials for 14th all-electric tugboat  

Turkish shipyard marks half-century in business with latest battery-powered vessel from ElectRA series.