Two US Navy Vessels Collide in Caribbean Sea During Resupply Maneuver
Two United States Navy ships, deployed as part of a significant military buildup in the Caribbean Sea, have collided, leaving two sailors with minor injuries. The incident occurred on Wednesday, as confirmed by US Southern Command in a statement released on Thursday.
Details of the Collision and Injuries
The USS Truxtun, a destroyer, and the USNS Supply, a supply ship, collided while the warship was undergoing a routine resupply operation. During such maneuvers, vessels typically sail parallel to each other, often within hundreds of feet, while fuel and supplies are transferred via hoses and cables across the gap between them.
The military statement indicated that two personnel reported minor injuries following the collision, with both individuals in stable condition. Southern Command assured that both ships are now sailing safely, with no further immediate threats reported.
Context of the Military Presence in the Caribbean
The USS Truxtun is a recent addition to a substantial naval presence in the Caribbean, which currently stands at 12 ships. This fleet includes the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, and several amphibious assault ships carrying thousands of Marines.
This buildup represents the largest military presence in the region in generations, initiated under the Republican administration. Since September, this force has conducted a series of deadly strikes on alleged drug boats, seized sanctioned oil tankers, and executed a surprise raid that captured Venezuela's then-president, Nicolás Maduro.
Background on the USS Truxtun and Previous Incidents
The USS Truxtun departed its home port in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 3. However, it had to return to port for several days to conduct what was described as "an emergent equipment repair" before ultimately setting sail for the Caribbean on February 6, according to a Navy official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive operational details.
This collision is a rare event for warships. The Wall Street Journal first reported the incident. The Navy's most recent prior collision occurred in February 2025, when the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman collided with a merchant vessel just outside the Suez Canal near Port Said, Egypt. That incident resulted in minor damage to the Truman but no injuries.
Investigation Findings from Previous Collision
An investigation released in December revealed that during the Truman collision, the officer navigating the ship was driving at an unsafely high speed as the aircraft carrier was running behind schedule. When a merchant ship moved into a collision path, the officer in charge did not take sufficient action to avoid danger.
The report found that the ship was traveling so fast it would have needed almost a mile and a half to come to a stop after halting the engines, highlighting the risks involved in such operations.
