The US Navy has decided to relieve the commanding officer of the USS Truman — the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that had a collision with a bulk carrier off Egypt last week.
Captain Dave Snowden was relieved Thursday for “loss of confidence in his ability to command”, the navy said.
The accident with the 2003-built supramax Besiktas-M happened nine days ago near Egypt’s Port Said with the bulk carrier suffering damage to its bow, while the American vessel reported hull damage on its right back quarter (pictured).
The investigation into the collision is still ongoing.
The aircraft carrier has been used as one of the naval assets patrolling the Red Sea over the past year as the Houthis from Yemen targeted merchant shipping.
