Photos and Videos Reveal Significant Damage and Water Influx Inside the U.S. Navy Fuel Tanker “Big Horn” After an Incident in the Arabian Sea

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The American site gCaptain reported that the U.S. Navy fuel tanker “USNS Big Horn” ran aground off the coast of Oman and was partially flooded after sustaining damage in an incident in the Arabian Sea. This has left the “Abraham Lincoln” aircraft carrier group without its primary fuel supply.

The site, which specializes in covering maritime transport, naval defense, and U.S. Navy activities, published leaked photos and videos showing the damage to the ship’s rudder shaft. The images reveal water pouring into one of the mechanical compartments inside the ship.

A source from the U.S. Navy confirmed that the ship is anchored near Oman, awaiting a full damage assessment, with no reported injuries or environmental damage.

This 33-year-old ship is a Kaiser-class fuel tanker. The site noted that U.S. Navy ships usually do not transmit Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals, meaning the precise location of the vessel cannot be determined. However, the Navy source confirmed that it is anchored near Oman while awaiting damage assessment.

The site mentioned that fortunately, no injuries or environmental damage were reported, which is critical as the ship is considered one of the single-hull versions of the Kaiser-class fuel tankers.

The site also reported a statement from a Navy official, provided to Sam LaGrone of USNI News, confirming that the “USNS Big Horn” sustained damage during its operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of operations on the night of September 23. The statement assured that the crew is safe, and the 5th Fleet is assessing the situation.

The Kaiser-class fuel tankers, introduced in the 1980s, are the backbone of the Navy’s underway replenishment (UNREP) capabilities, playing a crucial role in supporting naval operations. These tankers perform the vital task of refueling U.S. aircraft carrier groups and other naval assets at sea, ensuring the Navy’s global reach and operational readiness.

However, the site pointed out that these ships, as single-hulled tankers, have been considered environmentally vulnerable, especially after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, which led to the enactment of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), mandating double-hull designs for commercial oil tankers.

The site added that complicating the problem is the fact that “Big Horn” is the only fuel tanker the Navy has in the Middle East. A shipowner told gCaptain that the U.S. Navy is scrambling to find a commercial oil tanker to replace it and deliver aviation fuel to the “Abraham Lincoln” carrier group.

If the Navy resorts to using a commercial oil tanker as a temporary replacement, it will need to install a Consolidated Cargo and Fuel Handling System (CONSOL) for underway replenishment operations. This requires specialized refueling equipment, taut fuel hoses, and high-capacity fuel pumps, all of which are necessary to safely transfer fuel to warships at sea. The tanker would also need strong communication and control systems to ensure precise coordination during refueling maneuvers.

The site emphasized that modifying a commercial vessel is no easy task, as it requires significant structural changes to enable the ship to withstand the unique pressures and operational demands of pumping fuel while sailing at full speed. Additionally, gCaptain reported that the U.S. Navy would have to send a team of Merchant Marine personnel trained in CONSOL UNREP procedures to the Middle East to oversee the operation, adding another layer of complexity to an already difficult situation.

The site highlighted that commercial oil tankers are significantly slower than naval tankers, which could leave the “Abraham Lincoln” aircraft carrier more vulnerable to attack during aviation fuel loading operations. The site confirmed that “the U.S. is currently facing a severe shortage of fuel tankers and crews to operate them.”

Earlier this month, the Navy announced that it might have to decommission 17 supply ships, including one tanker, due to difficulties in recruiting U.S. Merchant Marine sailors, the site added. Despite launching five new John Lewis-class tankers — including USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209) this week — and awarding NASSCO a $6.7 billion contract for eight additional tankers, challenges remain.

According to the site, official Navy and Military Sealift Command sources have repeatedly affirmed that the John Lewis program is on schedule. However, two marine inspectors who examined the new tankers stated that they face numerous issues, delaying the deployment of these vessels overseas. Although the lead ship, USNS John Lewis, was launched in January 2021, it is currently idle in a repair dock in Oregon. To date, none of the new tankers have left the continental United States.

The grounding of “USNS Big Horn” serves as a stark reminder of the broader crisis facing the U.S. armed forces concerning fuel tankers, a point underscored by former Maersk vice president Captain Steve Carmel in an editorial last year.

He pointed out that the Department of Defense is expected to need more than 100 tankers of various sizes in the event of a major conflict in the Pacific. Current estimates suggest that the department has access to fewer than ten tankers, a dangerously low number that threatens to impede U.S. military operations.

The site confirmed that without sufficient tanker capacity, even the most advanced naval capabilities, including nuclear-powered aircraft carriers — which still depend on aviation fuel — will be rendered ineffective. This problem has become more acute with the closure of the Navy’s massive fuel depot in the Pacific, known as Red Hill, after poor maintenance caused fuel leaks into the local water supply, poisoning thousands of people, including children, in Hawaii.

The site added that the fuel tanker and logistics shortage crisis requires urgent action, stressing the need for the U.S. to build a larger fleet of U.S.-flagged ships capable of refueling aircraft carriers and supporting joint military operations.

Potential solutions, such as expanding the Tanker Security Program, applying shipping preferences, and preparing pre-loaded tankers, were mentioned, but these require immediate implementation. With the looming threat of conflict in the Pacific, securing a strong tanker fleet is not just a logistical necessity but a strategic one.

The site noted that this crisis, along with the troubling crew shortage in the U.S. Merchant Marine, poses a significant challenge to the U.S. Navy. Encouragingly, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro has called for a bold new maritime strategy.

Moreover, Congress, led by Rep. Michael Waltz and Senator Mark Kelly, is working on a bill to address maritime issues, making this incident more urgent than ever. However, significant obstacles remain, according to the site.

The site confirmed that these solutions will take time, while other federal agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Maritime Administration under Secretary Pete Buttigieg, face resource shortages and a lack of motivation to undertake the extensive efforts needed to resolve these issues.

In the meantime, our sailors, operating with an ever-decreasing fleet of aging logistical ships, are undoubtedly facing increased operational demands and pressure to perform their duties more seriously, the site concluded.

The site warned that increasing pressure on sailors and the military logistics system inevitably leads to recurring incidents like the grounding of “USNS Big Horn” that occurred yesterday. This comes even before considering the severe shortage of working ships in the Navy, including salvage ships, sea tugs, firefighting ships, support ships, and floating docks, all of which are essential for the rapid repair and return of damaged ships to service.

Incredible…

“US Navy oiler USNS Big Horn ran aground yesterday, leaving the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Group without it’s primary fuel source. The Navy doesn’t have a spare oiler to deploy and is now scrambling to find a commercial tanker.”

– @johnkonradpic.twitter.com/RPf2ergsAG

— Geiger Capital (@Geiger_Capital) September 24, 2024