While an investigation is ongoing, the U.S. Navy has released a photo captured in the aftermath of the collision with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M, showing damage to an observation platform.
As already reported here at The Aviationist, the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) aircraft carrier was involved in a collision with a merchant ship in the Mediterranean Sea, off Egypt, on Feb. 13, 2025. The service has now released an image captured in the aftermath of the collision, showing the damage sustained by the vessel.
Judging from what can be seen in the photo, the damage appears to involve the observation platform after the starboard (right side) elevator, just behind the carrier’s island. According to Stars and Stripes, the 6th Fleet has confirmed that the elevator has not been damaged in the collision.
The Truman’s damage shown in the photo and the reported damage to the Besiktas-M’s starboard bow appear to be consistent with the reports of the merchant vessel striking the aircraft carrier with its bow. Some reports also mention that the Besiktas-M might have turned sharply to port (left) and then immediately to starboard, and this would explain why the damage is localized only in those two relatively small areas.
A photo released from one of the crew of #BesiktasM after the collision with #Truman.
It appears that Besiktas M hit the Truman with her starboard bow. Note the mooring line cable spool sheared off and the damage to the forward starboard hatch coaming.
This damage may indicate… https://t.co/MtXUhg7hSG pic.twitter.com/4I2jCGMrZA
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— Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) 🚢⚓🐪🚒🏴☠️ (@mercoglianos) February 13, 2025
The collision
Following the collision of Feb. 13, the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa / U.S. Sixth Fleet released an official statement:
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) was involved in a collision with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M at approximately 11:46 p.m. local time, Feb. 12, while operating in the vicinity of Port Said, Egypt, in the Mediterranean Sea.
The collision did not endanger the Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as there are no reports of flooding or injuries. The propulsion plants are unaffected and in a safe and stable condition. The incident is under investigation. More information will be released as it becomes available.
The position of the aircraft carrier and merchant vessel off Port Said was determined by means of AIS on ship tracking website Marine Traffic. AIS data shows the vessel, a bulk carrier registered under the flag of Panama and managed by Synergy Ship Management Turkey, transited through the Suez Channel on Feb. 12, 2025.
On the other hand, the USS Truman and the USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), which was sailing nearby but was not involved in the collision, were reportedly not transmitting their position. However, the 6th Fleet is investigating and did not discuss whether AIS was deactivated, mentioning it’s too early to comment about the circumstances of the collision.
You can find further details in our previous report here at The Aviationist.
