WATERS EAST OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA (NNS) (NNS) -- A South Korean
fishing vessel collided with USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) while the guided-missile
cruiser was conducting routine operations in international waters.
No one was injured when the fishing vessel collided with Lake Champlain's port
side, amid ship, at approximately 11:50 a.m. (+9I), May 9.
Both ships were able to navigate under their own power.
The incident is under investigation by both U.S. Navy and South Korea Coast
Guard. Damage assessments of both the Ticonderoga-class guided missile
cruiser and the 60-70 foot long fishing vessel are underway.
Lake Champlain is part of the Carl Vinson Strike Group which is currently
on a Western-Pacific Deployment.
