USS Fitzgerald and MV ACX Crystal collision
Early on 17 June 2017, the United States Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald collided with MV ACX Crystal, a Philippine-flagged container ship, about 80 nautical miles (150 kilometres; 92 miles) southwest of Tokyo, Japan; 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) southeast of the city of Shimoda on the Japanese mainland (Honshu).
USS Fitzgerald returns to base after the collision | |
| Date | 17 June 2017 |
|---|---|
| Time | about 1:30 a.m. JST |
| Location | 56 nautical miles (104 kilometres; 64 miles) southwest of Yokosuka, Japan |
| Coordinates | 34°32′N 139°05′E |
| Casualties | |
| 7 deaths on USS Fitzgerald | |
| 3 confirmed injuries | |
The accident killed seven Fitzgerald sailors. Their bodies were recovered from the flooded berthing compartments of the ship. At least three more of the crew of nearly 300 were injured, including the ship's commanding officer, Commander Bryce Benson. The top two senior officers and the top enlisted sailor were relieved of duty and faced criminal charges, which were later dismissed; about a dozen other sailors will receive non-judicial punishment. The owners of the merchant vessel have agreed to pay $27 million in compensation to the US Navy.