Captain of USS Truman Relieved of Command After Collision at Sea – Guy D. McCardle
In a significant shake-up within the U.S. Navy’s leadership, Captain Dave Snowden, the commanding officer of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), was relieved of his duties on February 20, 2025. This decision came in the aftermath of a collision between the Truman and a merchant vessel near Port Said, Egypt, on February 12. The incident has raised questions about operational protocols and leadership accountability within the Navy.
The Incident: A Nighttime Collision
The collision occurred at approximately 11:46 p.m. local time on February 12, 2025, as the USS Harry S. Truman was navigating the Mediterranean Sea near Port Said. The aircraft carrier collided with the Panamanian-flagged merchant vessel Besiktas-M. Despite the severity of the incident, there were no reported injuries or flooding aboard the Truman. The ship’s nuclear propulsion systems remained in a safe and stable condition, ensuring there was no immediate threat to the crew or the environment.
Initial assessments revealed significant damage to the exterior of the Truman, including impacts to two storage rooms, a maintenance space, a line handling area, the fantail, and a platform above one of the storage spaces. In response to the damage, the Truman conducted flight operations before heading to Souda Bay, Crete, for emergent repairs.
Captain Snowden addressed the situation, stating, “While the ship is fully mission capable and the ship conducted flight operations following the collision, pulling into port for emergent repairs will enable the ship to continue deployment as scheduled.”
The U.S. Navy has relieved Captain Snowden of his command of the Truman. The Navy cited a loss of confidence in Snowden’s ability to command as the reason for his removal.
Rear Admiral Sean Bailey, commander of Carrier Strike Group 8, made the call to relieve Snowden, reinforcing the Navy’s strict expectations for leadership. In a statement, the Navy reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, saying, “The U.S. Navy holds commanding officers to the highest standard and takes action to hold them accountable when those standards are not met. Naval leaders are entrusted with significant responsibilities to their Sailors and their ships.”
Following his removal from command, Snowden was reassigned to Naval Air Forces Atlantic while the Navy works to determine the full circumstances of the collision.
In a significant shake-up within the U.S. Navy’s leadership, Captain Dave Snowden, the commanding officer of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), was relieved of his duties on February 20, 2025. This decision came in the aftermath of a collision between the Truman and a merchant vessel near Port Said, Egypt, on February 12. The incident has raised questions about operational protocols and leadership accountability within the Navy.
The Incident: A Nighttime Collision
The collision occurred at approximately 11:46 p.m. local time on February 12, 2025, as the USS Harry S. Truman was navigating the Mediterranean Sea near Port Said. The aircraft carrier collided with the Panamanian-flagged merchant vessel Besiktas-M. Despite the severity of the incident, there were no reported injuries or flooding aboard the Truman. The ship’s nuclear propulsion systems remained in a safe and stable condition, ensuring there was no immediate threat to the crew or the environment.
Initial assessments revealed significant damage to the exterior of the Truman, including impacts to two storage rooms, a maintenance space, a line handling area, the fantail, and a platform above one of the storage spaces. In response to the damage, the Truman conducted flight operations before heading to Souda Bay, Crete, for emergent repairs.
Captain Snowden addressed the situation, stating, “While the ship is fully mission capable and the ship conducted flight operations following the collision, pulling into port for emergent repairs will enable the ship to continue deployment as scheduled.”
The U.S. Navy has relieved Captain Snowden of his command of the Truman. The Navy cited a loss of confidence in Snowden’s ability to command as the reason for his removal.
Rear Admiral Sean Bailey, commander of Carrier Strike Group 8, made the call to relieve Snowden, reinforcing the Navy’s strict expectations for leadership. In a statement, the Navy reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, saying, “The U.S. Navy holds commanding officers to the highest standard and takes action to hold them accountable when those standards are not met. Naval leaders are entrusted with significant responsibilities to their Sailors and their ships.”
Following his removal from command, Snowden was reassigned to Naval Air Forces Atlantic while the Navy works to determine the full circumstances of the collision.
Despite the leadership change, the Navy has assured that the incident will not impact the carrier’s mission or deployment schedule. Vice Admiral J.T. Anderson, commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, highlighted the Navy’s ability to rapidly respond to such incidents, stating, “The Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center’s ability to mobilize resources within and outside the theater to conduct repairs underscores the warfighting capability of the world’s most powerful Navy.”
The investigation into the collision is ongoing, and the Navy will continue to assess any procedural or operational failures that may have contributed to the incident.
Transition of Command: Captain Christopher Hill Steps In
In the wake of Captain Snowden’s relief, Captain Christopher Hill, the commanding officer of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), was appointed as the interim commanding officer of the Truman. Captain Hill brings a wealth of experience to the role, having led the Eisenhower through a nine-month deployment in the Middle East, which concluded in July 2024. The Eisenhower is currently undergoing scheduled maintenance at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia.
Captain Hill’s immediate focus is to ensure that the Truman remains operationally ready and continues its mission without further disruptions. The Navy has expressed confidence that this leadership change will not impact the Truman’s ongoing deployment within the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.
Ongoing Investigation: Seeking Answers
The investigation into the collision between the USS Harry S. Truman and the merchant vessel Besiktas-M is still underway, with few details available about the exact cause of the accident. The incident occurred on February 12, 2025, near the entrance of the Suez Canal in the Mediterranean Sea, a heavily congested area where navigation requires extreme precision.
At this time, the Navy has not determined which vessel was responsible for the collision, and a full damage assessment has yet to be released. A specialized team of structural engineers and naval architects is conducting a thorough evaluation of the Truman’s damage to ensure the carrier remains operational. Given the high standards expected of commanding officers, the investigation is also focusing on the decision-making and actions taken by the ship’s leadership in the moments leading up to the collision.
While the investigation is not yet complete, the Navy made the decision to relieve Captain Dave Snowden of his command due to a loss of confidence in his ability to lead. This suggests that early findings may have identified concerns with how the situation was handled, though no official conclusions have been shared. As the investigation progresses, more details are expected to emerge about what led to the collision and what steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Broader Implications: Navigating Complex Waters
The incident involving the USS Harry S. Truman highlights the inherent challenges of operating large naval vessels in congested and strategically sensitive waterways. The Suez Canal and its approaches are among the world’s busiest maritime corridors, requiring precise navigation and constant vigilance. This event reminds us of the complexities faced by naval forces and the importance of stringent adherence to navigational protocols.
Wrap Up
The relief of Captain Dave Snowden underscores the U.S. Navy’s unwavering commitment to maintaining high standards of leadership and operational excellence. As the investigation progresses, the lessons learned will be instrumental in enhancing the safety and effectiveness of future naval operations. The USS Harry S. Truman, under new leadership, continues its mission, embodying the resilience and dedication that are the hallmarks of the U.S. Navy.
