Tanker-202

According to the report, the USS Essex was alongside the supply ship USNS Yukon trying to refuel about 120 miles from shore. The rudder suddenly became stuck and a near-collision on the bow was avoided, the report stated. However, a collision occurred near the backs of the ships about a minute later. Ret. Rear Adm. Len Hering said, "Refueling is a regular process, but can be dangerous and very complicated." Hering likens the refueling process to driving alongside a car on the road. More at http://www.10news.com/news/31401770/detail.html

The US-Navy relieved the commanding officer of the USS Essex of his position, saying on Tuesday on that officials lost confidence in his abilities after his ship collided with tanker YUKON at sea. Captain Chuck Litchfield had only been the commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship for a few weeks when the crash occurred about 120 miles off the coast of Southern California on May 16. There were no injuries or fuel spills. The Essex was approaching the oiler USNS Yukon to be refueled as part of a routine operation when they ran into each other. Both ships were damaged but were able to continue on their way to San Diego.

Wednesday's midmorning crash 120 miles off the coast of Southern California resulted in no injuries or fuel spills. The 844-foot-long Essex was carrying 982 crew members. The tanker, the 677-foot USNS Yukon, was carrying 82. The Yukon arrived Wednesday afternoon at the Navy base in Coronado, Calif. Lt. Beth Teach said it suffered structural damage to its flight deck, lifeboats and davits, the arm-like structures that hold the lifeboats. Officials were investigating what caused the steering to malfunction as the Essex lined up next to the Yukon to position itself to be refueled. They said they couldn't say how fast the ships were moving at the time of the crash because the investigation was under way. Navy officials said it was the Essex's first collision. http://www.newser.com/article/d9uqn6qo1/navy-assault-ship-arrives-at-san-diego-port-after-collision-at-sea-with-refueling-tanker.html