THE TENSION: Photo Essay: USS Hartford, USS New Orleans Collision Damage

BAHRAIN (March 21, 2009) The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768) arrives pier side at Mina Salman pier in Bahrain where U.S. Navy engineers and inspection teams will asses and evaluate damage that resulted from a collision with the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) in the Strait of Hormuz March 20. Overall damage to both ships is being evaluated. The incident remains under investigation. Hartford is deployed to the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility to support maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Jane Campbell.)

BAHRAIN (March 21, 2009) The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768) pulls into Mina Salman pier in Bahrain where U.S. Navy engineers and inspection teams will asses and evaluate damage that resulted from a collision with the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) in the Strait of Hormuz March 20. Overall damage to both ships is being evaluated. The incident remains under investigation. Hartford is deployed to the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility to support maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Jane Campbell.)

BAHRAIN (March 21, 2009) Vice Adm. Bill Gortney watches through binoculars as the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768) transits into Mina Salman pier in Bahrain. Hartford pulled into Bahrain where U.S. Navy engineers and inspection teams will asses and evaluate damage that resulted from a collision with the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) in the Strait of Hormuz March 20. Overall damage to both ships is being evaluated. The incident remains under investigation. Hartford is deployed to the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility to support maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Jane Campbell.)

PERSIAN GULF (March 20, 2009) The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768) is underway Friday, March 20, 2009 in the Persian Gulf after a collision with the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18). Hartford sustained damage to her sail, but the propulsion plant of the nuclear-powered submarine was unaffected by this collision. (U.S. Navy photo.)

PERSIAN GULF (March 20, 2009) The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768) is underway in the Persian Gulf after a collision with the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18). Hartford sustained damage to her sail, but the propulsion plant of the nuclear-powered submarine was unaffected by this collision. (U.S. Navy photo.)

BAHRAIN (March 21, 2009) The amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) lowers the ships' brow after mooring in Bahrain where U.S. Navy engineers and inspection teams will asses and evaluate damage that resulted from a collision with the Los-Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768) in the Strait of Hormuz. No personnel aboard New Orleans were injured in the incident. Overall damage to both ships is being evaluated. New Orleans is deployed to the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility to support maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David K. Simmons.)

BAHRAIN (March 21, 2009) The amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) pulls into Mina Salman pier in Bahrain where U.S. Navy engineers and inspection teams will asses and evaluate damage that resulted from a collision with the Los-Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768) in the Strait of Hormuz. No personnel aboard New Orleans were injured in the incident. Overall damage to both ships is being evaluated. New Orleans is deployed to the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility to support maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David K. Simmons.)

BAHRAIN (March 21, 2009) USS New Orleans (LPD 18) pulls into Mina Salman pier in Bahrain where U.S. Navy engineers and inspection teams will asses and evaluate damage that resulted from a collision with the amphibious ship, USS Hartford (SSN 768) in the Strait of Hormuz. No personnel aboard New Orleans were injured in the incident. Overall damage to both ships is being evaluated. New Orleans is deployed to the U.S. 5th fleet area of operations to support Maritime Security Operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David K. Simmons.)