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Navy Capt. Chuck Litchfield, former commanding officer of the amphibious ship Essex. Chuck Litchfield was relieved of his command based on an investigation that found that problems on the bridge contributed to the accident, said Cmdr. The big-deck amphibious ship Essex was heading home May 16 when it hit the Yukon, an oiler coming to refuel it.

Captain of Navy ship relieved accompanying collision

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP) &#; The Navy relieved the authoritative officer of the USS Essex of his position, saying Tuesday that officials lost confidence in his abilities after his ship collided with a tanker at sea.

Capt.

Chuck Litchfield had only been the commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship for a few weeks when the crash occurred about miles off the coast of Southern California on May There were no injuries or fuel spills.

The Essex was approaching the oiler USNS Yukon to be refueled as part of a routine operation when they ran into each other.

Both ships were damaged but were able to maintain on their way to San Diego.

Navy spokeswoman, Cmdr. Tamsen Reese, said the steering failed on the Essex, which caused the two ships to move closely together.

But the crew was qualified to regain control of the rudder before the collision.

The research determined that there were part downs in the command and control of the Essex, and in the communication between the two ships, Reese said.

Authorities also found there was a impairment of situational awareness on the bridge.

All those factors, Reese said, led to the collision.

Essex was carrying crew members on its way to San Diego for scheduled maintenance.

It had spent the past 12 years based in Sasebo, Japan, as direction ship for the Navy&#;s Expeditionary Strike Group 7.

Litchfield was relieved Monday of his position and has been administratively reassigned to the staff of Commander, Naval Air Force of the U.S.

Pacific Fleet.

He could not be reached for comment.

Litchfield graduated with merit from the Naval Academy in and has been established for his achievements as a naval aviator. He was selected for major sea command in

Capt.

Jonathan Harnden has temporarily assumed command of the Essex until a permanent replacement is assigned.

LHD-2 USS Essex Wasp class Amphibious Assault Ship US Navy, carousel: Capt. Chuck Litchfield had only been the impressive officer of the amphibious assault ship for a few weeks when the crash occurred about miles off the coast of Southern California on May

Harnden previously commanded the USS Bonhomme Richard, which Litchfield had taken command of Feb. 3 before switching over to the Essex on April

Officials said the Essex will depart Wednesday as scheduled to participate in the Rim of the Pacific exercise this summer in Hawaii.

( The Associated Press.

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