Two U.S. Navy vessels collided during a replenishment-at-sea operation in waters near South America on Wednesday, prompting an investigation by U.S. Southern Command.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun and the Supply-class fast combat support ship USNS Supply made contact while transferring fuel and supplies between the ships, a high-risk manoeuvre that requires the vessels to sail closely in parallel.
According to an official statement, two personnel sustained minor injuries and are in stable condition. Both ships later reported that they were able to continue sailing safely following the collision. The cause of the incident has not been disclosed, and Southern Command has confirmed that it is under investigation.
Replenishment-at-sea operations are complex and require precise coordination, with fuel and supplies transmitted via cables and hoses between ships moving alongside each other. Although such refuelling evolutions are routine, collisions at sea remain rare due to strict training and long-standing naval protocols.
The USS Truxtun had recently departed Norfolk, Virginia, on deployment, while the USNS Supply was already operating in the Caribbean as part of U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility. The incident adds to a series of rare but notable U.S. Navy collisions in recent years, highlighting the inherent risks of naval operations even during non-combat activities.
Investigators will examine navigation data and crew actions to determine whether human error, equipment malfunction, or environmental factors played a role in the collision. Both vessels remain operational as the inquiry continues.
