USS OGDEN (LPD 5) and USS GREENEVILLE (SSN 772), Collision, 27 January 2002           

USS Greeneville (SSN 772) in Another Collision

A U.S. Navy submarine and an amphibious transport ship collided off the coast of Oman as they were attempting to get into position to transfer two sailors going home on emergency leave. No one was injured.

The incident punctured the fuel tank of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Ogden and caused some damage to the submarine USS Greeneville, a Navy officer said today, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Initial reports from the scene in Oman said the ships were on the surface about 40 miles off the coast in the Northern Arabian Sea. “Both ships made contact in their stern area. Basically, their back sides bumped together,” said the Navy officer.

Two sailors from the sub were being transferred because of deaths in their families. They had been granted emergency leaves, the officer said.