A United States Navy fleet oiler, USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198), assigned to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, sustained damage in an underwater collision off the coast of Oman in the Arabian Sea on Monday. Navy officials have confirmed the incident, stating that the oiler was anchored off the coast of Oman following the incident. The collision occurred at sea while the oiler was operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. The Navy is now preparing to use tugs to move the damaged oiler to a nearby port for assessment and repairs.

According to a statement from a Navy official, all crew members aboard the USNS Big Horn are currently safe, with no reports of injuries or fuel leaks. The damage sustained by the replenishment oiler is being evaluated, and the situation is being assessed by the U.S. 5th Fleet. Officials have not provided specific details regarding the circumstances of the collision, but it is noted that the incident occurred in a congested part of the Arabian Sea, which can present challenges for maneuvering large ships due to the presence of small fishing boats and other vessels.

Photos and videos published by the maritime news site gCaptain depict a flooded engineering space and a ruptured rudder post believed to be from the incident involving the USNS Big Horn. A defense official has confirmed the accuracy of these images. The damaged oiler was the sole dedicated oiler operating in the Middle East to provide fuel for the air wing aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and its accompanying escorts within the strike group. In light of the situation, the Navy is exploring alternative fueling options, including utilizing fuel resources from U.S. allies and commercial tankers.