U.S. Navy: Seven Injured During Small Boat Training Exercise

RHIB U.S. Navy file photo.

Seven people were injured Monday during a U.S. Navy small boat training exercise off the coast of Virginia.

The U.S. Navy says that four sailors from USS Bataan (LHD 5) and three civilian instructors from the Center for Security Forces were injured July 22 aboard a rigid hull inflatable boat when it collided with USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) during a small boat training exercise near Thimble Shoals Channel, off the coast of Hampton Roads, Va.

The exercise was being conducted in support of the Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) Visit, Board, Search and Seizure Boat Crew Course, which covers small boat operations and tactics, the Navy said.

Six of the injured personnel were transported by ambulance to Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, while the remaining sailor was treated at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Va.

Two of the Sailors have been released from the hospital, and one Sailor remains in the hospital for observation, the Navy said in a statement Monday. The status of the three civilians were not available at the time of the statement, but all injuries are considered non-life threatening.

The U.S. Navy says that it has initiated a safety investigation into the incident.

USNS Big Horn is currently underway conducting training operations.

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