Merchant Vessel, U.S. Navy Ship Collide in Persian Gulf

The Kiribati-flagged merchant vessel M/V Rokya 1 and USS McCampbell (DDG 85) collided on March 25, approximately 30 miles southeast of the Iraqi coastline in the North Persian Gulf. Two U.S. Sailors received minor injuries as a result of the collision. Two crew members from Rokya 1 also received minor injuries and were treated on-scene by McCampbell’s independent duty corpsman. Rokya 1 and McCampbell, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, both received damage on the bow and are deemed seaworthy. The cause of the accident is under investigation. McCampbell, homeported in San Diego and currently on a routine six-month deployment, is one of several coalition assets conducting maritime security operations under the direction of Combined Task Force (CTF) 58. CTF 58 is responsible for the security of the Al Basra and Khawr Al Amaya Iraqi oil terminals, which are the main sources of revenue for the Iraqi reconstruction effort.

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs