WASHINGTON — The Navy is investigating how two of its warships on Tuesday ended up on a collision course in a narrow channel of California's San Diego Bay.
The vessels came within 35 yards of each other on Tuesday morning, according to a Navy official, but were able to avert disaster through some last-minute maneuvering.
A second Navy official confirmed the authenticity of a video posted on Twitter that shows the near miss, and includes audio of the two ships communicating to avoid collision. The word"port" is used here in the nautical sense, meaning the Momsen intended to veer left, as it can be seen doing in the video.The Harpers Ferry is a 610-foot-long amphibious ship that weights more than twice as much as the Momsen destroyer vessel, which is why it appears slower to turn in the video.
"We were watching it and ... the [surface warfare officers] around here were like, 'Phew, that was close!'" the second Navy official said."But the consensus here is like, wow, they did a really good job of talking to one another and getting out of a tough situation."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Navy Ships Steer Last Minute to Avoid Head-On Crash in San Diego BayTwo US Navy ships — USS Momsen and USS Harpers Ferry — came a little too close for comfort Tuesday morning as they passed each other in San Diego Bay.
Read more »
WATCH: Two Navy Ships Narrowly Avoid Head-On Crash in San Diego BayTwo US Navy ships — USS Momsen and USS Harpers Ferry — came a little too close for comfort Tuesday morning as they passed each other in San Diego Bay.
Read more »
Navy warships narrowly avoid colliding in San Diego BayThe Navy is investigating how two of its warships on Tuesday ended up on a collision course in a narrow channel of California's San Diego Bay.
Read more »
Navy warships narrowly avoid colliding in San Diego Bay | VIDEOThe vessels came within 35 yards of each other on Tuesday morning, according to a Navy official, but were able to avert disaster through some last-minute maneuvering.
Read more »
Near-miss incident between two warships in San Diego Bay under investigation, Navy saysA U.S. Navy destroyer and dock landing ship had to take evasive maneuvers as they approached one another head-on in San Diego Bay Tuesday, video shows
Read more »