LCS 8 damaged by tug

The Gulf Coast-built Littoral Combat Ship USS Montgomery’s (LCS 8) hull was damaged by a tug Oct. 4 while going from Naval Station Mayport, Fla., to sea ahead of Hurricane Matthew. The damage was a foot-long crack amidships, along a weld seam, about three feet above the waterline, according to a report obtained by Navy Times. The intrusion was allowing about a gallon of seawater into the ship every three minutes until sailors plugged the crack and installed dewatering systems. Additionally, five of the horizontal beams in the hull were bent. An investigation into possible causes is underway, and the ship will receive more permanent repairs upon her return to port.” USS Montgomery, alongside the cruiser Anzio and amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima, were sortied from Mayport ahead of the hurricane. (Source: Navy Times 10/06/16) Gulf Coast Note: Previously, Montgomery suffered a pair of engineering failures within 24 hours of departing Mobile, Ala., on Sept. 16. Austal USA of Mobile builds the Independence class of LCS.