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Heavy Winds Ground Yukon

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS040908-03
Release Date: 9/8/2004 10:04:00 AM

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) grounded while anchored in the harbor of Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, during the early hours of Sept. 8.

Heavy winds, with gusts to 45 knots, moved the ship from its anchorage onto a soft mud bottom approximately 400 yards away at 3:25 a.m.

The Commander, Fleet Activities, Yokosuka Port Operations department immediately dispatched three U.S. Navy tugs to assist Yukon.

There appeared to be no damage to the ship; however, a thorough assessment will take place.

Yukon was anchored in Yokosuka for evasion of Tropical Storm Sarika and recently completed a period of logistics support for the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Strike Group.

Yukon is one of 14 underway replenishment oilers in the Military Sealift Command's inventory. Such ships provide underway replenishment of fuel to U.S. Navy ships at sea and jet fuel for aircraft assigned to aircraft carriers. Oilers are manned by a crew of approximately 89 civilian mariners and six active-duty U.S. Navy personnel.

A full investigation will be conducted.