US Navy destroyer collides with merchant ship in Gulf

Manama - A Kiribati-flagged merchant vessel and a US destroyer collided late Saturday, about 30 nautical miles south-east of the Iraqi coastline, the US Navy 5th Fleet Command said in Bahrain.

The incident involved a Kiribati-flagged merchant vessel M/V Rokya 1 and the USS McCampbell (DDG 85). Two US sailors sustained minor injuries, the statement said.

Two Rokya 1 crew members also sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

Both Royka 1 and McCampbell, an Arliegh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, sustained damage on the bow, but were deemed seaworthy and the McCampbell was able to continue its mission.

The cause of the accident is being investigated.

McCampbell, home ported in San Diego, is currently on a six-month mission as part of maritime security operations under Combined Task Force 58 (CTF 58), which is responsible for the security of the al- Basra (ABOT) and Khawr al-Amaya (KAAOT) Iraqi oil terminals.

The US Central Command has 40 to 45 military sea vessels in the region, one third of which consists of coalition ships, as part of Maritime Security Operations.