Japanese tug collides with US Navy destroyer near Japan
Tug reportedly lost propulsion and bumped into U.S. ship.
A Japanese tug lost propulsion and bumped into a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Pacific near Japan, according to statement from the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet, the latest in a series of mishaps in the region.
This time no sailors were injured on either side, according to the Navy.
USS Benfold, a guided-missile destroyer, sustained “minimal damage” during a towing exercise with the tug.
“Benfold remains at sea under her own power,” the statement said.
The Japanese vessel was being towed back to port in Japan.
The Japan-based 7th Fleet has seen a series of mishaps since late January when a U.S. warship ran aground in Tokyo Bay and spilled over 1,000 gallons of oil.
Over the summer, 17 sailors drowned in two separate collisions involving the guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain.
A Navy investigation found the two warships at fault and the collisions “preventable.” The Navy has since called for more robust training of its officers and crew.
Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson contributed to this report.
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