The only US Navy ship assigned to U.S. Africa Command, the expeditionary sea base USS HERSHEL WOODY WILLIAMS ESB-4 grounded off the western coast of Africa on Thursday 9th May around 1300 hrs (GMT) , shortly after leaving Libreville, Gabon.
The ship broke free around 1700 hrs on Thursday at high tide, said Lt. Cmdr. Jason Tross, a spokesman for NAVEUR-AF. There were no injuries or major damage, Tross said.
The Navy did not say how far the ship had transited after leaving the port before running aground or if she was accompanied by a tugboat at the time. It also wasn’t stated whether a pilot, often required to help a ship navigate ports, was on board.
