US Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald will be changing homeport from Yokouka, Japan to Pascagoula, Mississippi, as part of repair efforts following a June 17 collision between the destroyer and a merchant ship.
The US Navy said the homeport change will take place on December 15 after the damaged destroyer is transported back to the US.
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) will be in charge of repairing the ship in Pascagoula, Mississippi, while Texas-based heavy lift company Patriot Shipping is in charge of returning the Fitzgerald from Japan.
Seven US Navy sailors died in the collision between the Fitzgerald and Philippine-flagged merchant vessel ACX Crystal southwest of Yokosuka, Japan.
The 30,000-ton merchant vessel hit Fitzgerald’s starboard side above and below the water line, causing significant damage and associated flooding to two berthing spaces, a machinery space, and the radio room, which damage control teams quickly began dewatering.
The US Navy is yet to determine the start date, scope, cost and the time required to fully restore the ship.