Federal and government of Guam partners are coordinating to assess possible environmental impacts from a French Navy Landing Craft Utility (LCU) that impacted the sea floor in Apra Harbor at about 7 a.m. on Friday, May 12.
The landing craft utility sustained damage to one of its two propellers but was able to return to Naval Base Guam under its own power. There were no personnel injuries and there was no indication of petroleum products leaking into the water.
The Navy is working with the U.S. Coast Guard, Guam Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Guam Department of Agriculture, the French navy and other organizations to further assess the situation. The Department of Defense is committed to being environmental stewards.
“I have directed all training operations associated with this exercise to be stopped until we conduct a thorough assessment of the facts surrounding this event” said Capt. Jeff Grimes, Joint Region Marianas chief of staff.