In a remarkable turn of events, a U.S. Navy cargo ship, the USNS Alan Shepard, ran aground off the coast of Bahrain after its captain and other key officers vacated the bridge for dinner, leaving the vessel in the care of a junior third officer.

The incident, which occurred on July 15, 2023, has shed light on the importance of adherence to naval procedures and the presence of commanding officers in restricted waters.

The Alan Shepard was transitioning to a pier at Khalifa Bin Salman Port to complete repairs when it was instructed to wait for a harbor pilot.

The master handed over control to the third officer at 4:49 p.m. and went to eat dinner, along with the navigator and the chief mate.

What transpired next was a cautionary tale of distraction and the necessity of situational awareness.

The third officer, distracted by a fishing vessel, maneuvered to avoid a potential collision, unknowingly steering the cargo ship into the shallows. Within a mere 20 minutes of the officers’ departure, the Alan Shepard was aground.

Despite being averted from a potential disaster, the investigation highlighted a lapse in following the standing orders requiring the master’s presence on the bridge in shallow waters.

“This for me solely falls on the shoulders of the master,” said Sal Mercogliano, a maritime historian, indicating the gravity of the captain’s absence during the maneuvering through Bahrain’s congested waters.

Fortunately, the ship suffered only minor scratches to its hull with no reported injuries thanks to the assistance of Bahraini tugs and rising tides, which helped free the vessel the following day.

It is worth noting that the Navy’s approach to similar incidents varies, as exemplified by the removal of the commander of the USS Howard after a “soft grounding” occurred just weeks following the Alan Shepard’s mishap.

The USNS Alan Shepard, launched in 2006 and manned by civilian mariners licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard, plays a vital role in transporting cargo and supplies for Navy vessels at sea.

The ship is back on duty, currently operational in the Middle East, supporting the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its strike group.

The grounding of the Alan Shepard serves as a stark reminder of the perils of complacency and the strict adherence to naval protocols.

The need for vigilance and leadership is paramount, especially when navigating in precarious environments that demand the utmost attention and expertise.

As the ship sails on in support of naval operations, the lessons learned from this incident will echo in the procedures and training of maritime officers to prevent future groundings.

Relevant articles:
– Investigation Finds Navy Supply Ship Ran Aground After Captain Left to Eat Dinner, Military.com
– USNS Alan Shepard ran aground in Bahrain after captain left bridge to eat, investigation finds, Stars and Stripes
– U.S Navy Ship Ran Aground After Captain Left the Bridge & Went For Dinner, Investigation Finds, Marine Insight
– Navy ship ran aground when officer went to dinner, investigation finds, Navy Times