USS New Orleans/Hartford.

[Abbeywood.]

Towards the end of 2009, the Assault Landing ship, 'New Orleans', collided with the nuclear submarine, 'Hartford', in the Straits of Hormuz, near the Quoins, at the entrance to the Arabian,(Persian),Gulf.
Both ships suffered considerable damage, with the Hartford's conning-tower bent sideways about five degrees out of vertical, (see photo in Novembers ? 'Ships Monthly' ).
It was not explained if the submarine was proceeding submerged, or surfaced, at the time, though it does seem implausible that it was underwater in such a busy, restricted, and narrow waterway, facing the possibilty of a meeting with a deep-draught tanker
The commander of the Hartford was relieved of his command, on arrival at Bahrain, and faces a court-martial. Not sure about the commander of New Orleans but probably the same, for hazarding his ship.
Anyone have any further information with regards to the outcome.

[Klaatu83]

For further information on this accident you may want to check these out:

I've often noted the practice among bridge personnel of playing music on the bridges of merchant vessels, but I didn't know Navy personnel went in for that sort of thing. I have never permitted that myself while on watch because I have always believed it might prevent hearing an incoming message the VHF radio.

http://www.marinebuzz.com/2009/03/21/collision-us-nuclear-submarine-uss-hartford-and-uss-new-orleans-in-the-strait-of-hormuz/

http://www.mesothelioma.com/veterans_blog/poor_leadership_contributed_to_naval_submarine_col lision.htm