US warship allides with moored bulker in Montreal

By Baird Maritime - June 25, 2019.

Image: US Navy/Marinette Marine – USS Billings undergoing sea trials in December 2018

A US Navy Freedom-class littoral combat ship (LCS) struck a moored commercial vessel in Montreal as it was about to sail out for its new homeport of Mayport, Florida, on Friday, June 21.

Eyewitnesses reportedly saw USS Billings, which is scheduled to be commissioned in August, allide with the moored bulk carrier Rosaire A. Desgagnes as the former departed the wharf at Montreal with an escort of tugs.

The warship was said to have lost control and ended up hitting the bulk carrier after its mooring lines were let go.

Lieutenant Commander Courtney Hillson, public information officer for US Naval Surface Force Atlantic, said Billings‘ starboard side bridge wing suffered visible minor damage but did not comment on the full extent of the damage sustained by both vessels.

No injuries have been reported on either ship, Hillson added.

The navy, which has since launched an investigation into the allision, said that the accident will not impact Billings‘ scheduled commissioning at Mayport.