By: Sam LaGrone
June 26, 2019 6:14 PM
Screen capture of a video showing Billings strike a moored cargo ship.
Littoral Combat Ship Billings (LCS-15) is pier-side in Montreal undergoing repairs after making contact with a merchant ship on Friday, Navy officials told USNI News on Wednesday.
The Freedom-class LCS, delivered to the Navy in February, was leaving its slip when it allided with the bulk carrier Rosaire Desgagnes, according to a video of the incident reviewed by USNI News.
The LCS was under the assistance of two tugs when the starboard side of the warship made contact with the port side of the carrier that was moored at the pier, the Navy said in a Wednesday statement.
“Video from the scene shows that Billings was stemming a strong current, and the direction of her exhaust stream suggests that the wind would have tended to set her towards shore,” read a report in The Maritime Executive.
Other press reports said the incident occurred after Billings had cut lines with the two tugs.
“While getting underway from Montreal, Canada, the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, [Billings] allided with a moored commercial vessel at Berth 30, June 21, at approximately 2 p.m.,” Lt. Cmdr. Courtney Hillson told USNI News. “Billings sustained minor damage above the waterline. While the ship is able to safely transit to its homeport, Naval Station Mayport, Fla., the ship will temporarily remain in port in Montreal to conduct a full damage assessment. No injuries were reported from either vessel. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.”
Surface Division 21, under LCS Squadron (LCSRON) 2 based in Mayport, will oversee the investigation into the allision, Hillson said.
This is the second time recently an LCS has had to wait unexpectedly in Montreal. In 2018, USS Little Rock(LCS-9) was stranded for four months in Montreal waiting for St. Lawrence River to thaw after departing its commissioning ceremony in Buffalo, N.Y.
