Ecuadorean Tanker, Navy Carrier Collide

NORFOLK, Va. —  The U.S. aircraft carrier Coral Sea and an Ecuadorean tanker collided off the coast of Cuba, causing significant damage to the U.S. vessel but no injuries on either ship, authorities said today.

The Norfolk-based Coral Sea was conducting flight operations 45 miles from Guantanamo Bay when it collided with the tanker Napo at 7:48 p.m. Thursday, said Lt. Cmdr. Dale Smith of the Atlantic Fleet. Damage to the Coral Sea’s bow area was significant, and additional damage was reported to some communications and radar equipment. The Napo suffered a hole in its bow above the water line.