'Loss of confidence': Navy relieves commanding officer of USS Harry S. Truman after accident

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The Navy has relieved the commanding officer of the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman due to a "loss of confidence in his ability to command," the service announced on Thursday.

Capt. Dave Snowden was relieved of his duties Thursday, just over a week after the aircraft carrier was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel near Port Said, Egypt. Snowden will be replaced by Capt. Christopher Hill, the commanding officer of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, in an interim capacity, the Navy said.

"The U.S. Navy holds commanding officers to the highest standard and takes action to hold them accountable when those standards are not met," the Navy explained of its decision in a news release. "Naval leaders are entrusted with significant responsibilities to their Sailors and their ships."

Snowden had served as the carrier's commanding officer since December 2023. He will be temporarily assigned to Naval Forces Atlantic.

The collision occurred late on Feb. 12 while both ships were moving. It did not result in flooding or injuries aboard the carrier, and there was no damage to the ship's propulsion systems, the Navy said last week.

There was, however, damage to the outside wall of two storage rooms and a maintenance space. More damage was assessed to the line handling space, the fantail and the platform above one of the storage spaces. The ship later arrived at the U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Greece on Feb. 16 for repairs.

None of the crew on the merchant ship, the Besiktas-M, were injured, according to a defense official who spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

The incident has had "no impact" on the Truman's current operations or schedule, the Navy added Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.