US Navy relieves commanding officer of USS Harry S. Truman Following collision with merchant vessel

The commanding officer of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, Capt. Dave Snowden, was relieved of his duties on February 20, following a collision with a merchant vessel in the Mediterranean Sea near the Suez Canal.

The incident occurred on February 12 as the Truman was preparing to enter the Suez Canal.

According to a U.S. Navy press release, Snowden was removed from command due to a loss of confidence in his ability to lead the ship. A senior Navy official explained that the failure to take necessary measures to avoid the collision ultimately rests with the captain, stating, "The buck stops with him", Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The Truman, which had been involved in airstrikes against ISIS targets in Somalia earlier in the month, collided with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M while navigating the busy waters near Port Said, Egypt. The ship had just finished its operations in the Mediterranean and was returning to the Red Sea. At the time of the collision, the area was crowded with vessels, and the incident occurred just before midnight.

Damage to the Truman was reported to be above the waterline, with visible damage to the starboard side near the stern and significant damage to a pipe along the ship's side. However, no serious injuries were reported. The ship is currently undergoing repairs at Souda Bay in Greece, with officials estimating it will be ready to return to the Red Sea in a matter of days.

In the wake of Snowden’s removal, Capt. Christopher Hill, commanding officer of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, will temporarily assume command of the USS Harry S. Truman. Snowden, who had served as the Truman's commanding officer since December 2023, has been reassigned to Naval Air Forces Atlantic, a move described by a senior Navy official as effectively ending his career in command.

The U.S. Navy has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the collision, but the decision to relieve Snowden was made while the investigation is still ongoing. A Navy statement emphasized that commanding officers are held to the highest standards, and action is taken when those standards are not met.

"The U.S. Navy holds commanding officers to the highest standard and takes action to hold them accountable when those standards are not met," the release stated.

By Vugar Khalilov