US Navy destroyer Porter collides with Japanese oil tanker in the Persian Gulf

American guided missile destroyer U.S. Navy Porter collided with a Japanese, Panamanian flagged tanker M/V Otowasan coming in the opposite direction while entering the Strait of Hormuz. The two crashed into each other, according to ABC news.

The USS Porter was passing through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf where the shipping lanes are narrow at only two miles wide.

The crash pierced the side of the USS Porter; however, no injuries have been reported, and the damage was limited to above the water-line. The Navy vessel is in no danger of sinking, but the fire control system automatically becomes activated.

The USS Porter was on its way to the United Arab Emirates’ port Jebel Ali.

"The collision between USS Porter (DDG 78) and the Panamanian-flagged bulk oil tanker M/V Otowasan occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. local time," a statement on the Fifth Fleet's website said in a report to Reuters.

It said the Porter was a guided-missile destroyer and the oil tanker was Japanese-owned. The navy vessel remained able to operate under its own power after the collision, which was not combat-related, the statement added.

The US Navy statement said they are conducting an investigation and added, "USS Porter is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts."

So far there are no reports of the cause of the incident. The Strait of Hormuz was the site of a collision three years ago when the USS Hartford, a nuclear-powered submarine based in Groton, Connecticut, collided with the USS New Orleans, a San Diego-based amphibious ship.

The New Orleans' fuel tank was ruptured and 15 sailors on the Hartford sustained minor injuries.

The collision resulted in $2.3 million in damage to the New Orleans, and the cost of repairs to the Hartford were $102.6 million.

The commanding officer was relieved of his duties and the sub's chief of the boat, an adviser to the commanding officer, was reassigned. Several crew members were punished, reported in the Daily Mail.