US Navy ballistic missile submarine collides with offshore support vessel off Washington state

The U.S. Navy ballistic-missile submarine USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) collided with an offshore support vessel, also operated by the U.S. Navy, in the Strait of Juan de Fuca on August 18.

The waters in which the accident took place are the Salish Sea’s outlet to the Pacific Ocean but also a border between the U.S. and Canada.

According to the U.S. Navy, the vessels were conducting routine operations when the collision occurred at 6:00 p.m. There were no injuries to personnel.

The Navy said that assessments of the damage to both the submarine and the U.S. Navy offshore support vessel were being conducted while the incident is was under investigation.

Both ships returned safely to port under their own power. The U.S. Navy offshore support vessel returned to port at Port Angeles, Washington, and the USS Louisiana returned to homeport at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, Washington.

Less than a month ago, another submarine collision took place off the Gibraltar coast. Also a nuclear submarine, HMS Ambush hit a merchant merchant vessel on July 20.