November 28 - The USS Fitzgerald has returned to the US naval base in Yokosuka, Japan after suffering damages to its hull during the loading onboard Dockwise's heavy lift vessel Transshelf.
Already damaged as a result of a collision with the Philippine-flagged ACX Crystal on June 17, the guided missile destroyer was headed to the US Gulf coast for repairs onboard Dockwise's semi-submersible vessel, as HLPFI reported here.
According to a statement by the US 7th Fleet, during the loading operation, the USS Fitzgerald suffered two punctures to its hull, caused by the Transshelf's steel support structure, forcing it to return to the US naval base for further repairs.
Repairs are expected to extend the loading process by a few days, after which Transshelf will transport the USS Fitzgerald to Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) in Pascagoula, Mississippi for further repairs and upgrades.
