The commanding officer of a Navy nuclear-powered submarine that collided last month with an amphibious ship in the Strait of Hormuz was relieved of duty on Tuesday, The Virginian-Pilot reported Wednesday.

Rear Adm. Michael J. Connor, commander of Task Force 54 and commander, Submarine Group 7, relieved Cmdr. Ryan Brookhart of his duty as commanding officer of the submarine Hartford because of a loss of confidence in Brookhart’s ability to command, according to a statement from the Navy.

Brookhart was in command of the Hartford on March 20 when it collided with the amphibious transport dock New Orleans. Investigations into the incident are continuing, the statement said.

Cmdr. Chris Harkins, deputy commander of Submarine Squadron Eight, has assumed command of the Hartford. He previously commanded the submarine Montpelier. Brookhart has been temporarily assigned to the staff of CTF 54 in Bahrain, according to the statement.

Fifteen sailors aboard the Hartford were injured during the collision but returned to duty, the Virginian-Pilot reported. The submarine’s nuclear propulsion system was not damaged.

Migrated