A fleet oiler assigned to the San Diego-based Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group was damaged when it apparently grounded off the coast of Oman in the Arabian Sea, according to Navy statements and media reports.
The USNS Big Horn was anchored off the coast of Oman earlier this week when its stern hit an underwater object, causing a major leak and damaging the rudder.
USNI News cited a Navy statement that all crew members were safe and no fuel was leaking.
The 33-year-old ship, which is assigned to the Atlantic fleet, is the only oiler operating in the area. It carries jet fuel for aircraft flying from the Lincoln, and also refuels the carrier’s escorting destroyers.
Photos in maritime media showed the ship being towed from the area.
The Navy is reportedly planning to temporarily rely on allies and commercial ships to refuel the carrier group.
The Big Horn is one of 15 oilers operated by Military Sealift Command. It normally has a crew of nearly 90 civilian mariners and five military personnel.
NASSCO in San Diego is building a new fleet of oilers for the Navy, with the fifth — the future USNS Lucy Stone — launched last weekend.
