DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - A U.S. Navy submarine collided early Monday with a Turkish merchant ship in the Gulf, the U.S. Navy reported. No one was hurt on either vessel.
The USS Philadelphia was traveling on the surface of the Gulf when it hit the Turkish-flagged M/V Yaso Aysen, a cargo ship, at around 2:00 a.m. local time, the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet Headquarters in Bahrain reported in a statement.
No sailors or merchant seamen were injured, the Navy said.
The Philadelphia was conducting surface operations on its way to Bahrain for a scheduled port visit, the Navy said.
The submarine continued to Bahrain where inspectors will check it for damage. There were no immediate reports of damage to the Turkish ship.
The Navy statement did not say exactly where the collision took place.
The Philadelphia is part of a fleet of U.S. and allied navy vessels patrolling the Gulf, conducting what are called "maritime security operations" against weapons and drug smuggling.
AP-ES-09-05-05 0324EDT
