U.S. Navy: Nuclear-Powered Sub Collided With Support Vessel

The USS Louisiana (SSBN743) arriving at its homeport at Naval Base Kitsap, Silverdale, Washington,on October 12, 2005. U.S. Navy File Photo

The nuclear-powered submarine USS Louisiana collided with a U.S. Navy Offshore Support Vessel last week while conducting routine operations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca off the coast of Washington state, the U.S. Navy has confirmed.

The Navy did not name the other vessel involved. 

The collision occurred at 6:00 p.m. local time on August 18. There were no injuries to personnel, the Navy said. Assessments of the damage to both the submarine and the U.S. Navy Offshore Support Vessel are being conducted.

Both ships later returned safely to port under their own power. The U.S. Navy Offshore Support Vessel returned safely to port at Port Angeles, Washington, and the USS Louisiana returned safely to homeport at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, Washington.

The incident is currently under investigation.

The USS Louisiana is the eighteenth and final ship in the U.S. Navy’s Ohio class of nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarines. It was launched in 1996.

The Navy did not name the support vessel involved.

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