Navy to transport Fitzgerald back to US on heavy-lift ship

Fitz

(TOKYO) — The U.S. Navy on Tuesday said it plans to hire a commercial heavy-lift ship to carry USS Fitzgerald back to the United States to repair damage from a fatal collision, Reuters reported. 

The guided-missile destroyer was severely damaged in a collision on June 17 with the containership ACX Crystal off the coast of Japan. The accident killed seven U.S. sailors and ripped a hole below Fitzgerald's waterline. Extensive repairs are needed and the warship is unable to sail under its own power.

The lift to the U.S. could come as early as September and could take the destroyer as far as Maine for repairs, the Navy said.

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By Professional Mariner Staff