US carrier captain relieved of duty after dhow crash

The commander of the aircraft carrier USS John F

The commander of the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy has been relieved of his command after the big warship collided with a small dhow sailing vessel in the Gulf.

The carrier, whose warplanes fly close air support and strike missions over Iraq, collided with and sank the dhow on the night of July 22nd, triggering an investigation into how the small boat was allowed to get so close in an area of high military security.

The move involving Captain Stephen Squires, who assumed command of the Kennedy only four months ago, "is an administrative action, not a disciplinary action, while the investigation is going on," said Commander Ed Buclatin, a Navy spokesman in San Diego, California.

US warships in the Gulf region have been on special alert for possible terrorism attack since a small boat laden with explosives was detonated beside the guided missile destroyer USS Cole on October 12th, 2000, in Aden harbor, Yemen. Seventeen US sailors died and 39 were injured in the attack.

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The dhow, typical of small fishing and cargo vessels that ply the Gulf and coastal Indian Ocean, was spotted about 13 miles from the Kennedy and the big ship repeatedly tried unsuccessfully to make contact with it.

"There was no indication of any intent to make any attack," Commander Buclatin told Reuters, adding that there was no evidence that the small boat might have been carrying explosives.

The collision occurred about a half hour later and no survivors from the dhow were found, although two crew had been seen on the boat, Commander Buclatin said.