Navy News, news from Iraq - Navy Times

Arleigh Burke runs aground off Norfolk

The guided-missile destroyer Arleigh Burke ran “soft aground” late Tuesday returning to port in Norfolk, Va.

The ship was returning from exercises when it ran aground off Cape Henry, said Cmdr. Herman Phillips, a 2nd Fleet spokesman. The Burke ran “soft aground,” which means the ship was able to bring itself into port, Phillips said, and there was no apparent damage to the vessel. The Burke had been at sea for two days before returning to port Tuesday evening, he noted. No other vessels were under way with the Burke at the time, according to 2nd Fleet.

The Navy is conducting a damage assessment and an investigation of the incident.

The Burke’s commanding officer is Cmdr. E.J. McClure.

The grounding follows an incident off the coast of Argentina May 11 where the frigate Samuel B. Roberts had to be towed into port. Naval Forces South did not characterize the Roberts incident as a grounding, but a spokesman acknowledged the incident is under investigation. No one was injured in either event, according to the Navy.