Fitzgerald headed to Mississippi for repairs

The destroyer Fitzgerald (DDG-62) departed Yokosuka, Japan, over the weekend aboard a heavy-lift vessel bound for Pascagoula, MS, according to a Navy statement.

"Departure from Yokosuka was delayed a few days due to damage that occurred during the onload process, which involved lowering MV Transshelf in the water, towing Fitzgerald onto a platform, and securing the ship for transport," the statement said. "During this process, the steel support structure punctured Fitzgerald's hull, requiring repairs in port."

Huntington Ingalls' Ingalls Shipbuilding will perform repairs on Fitzgerald's heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, among other items, that sustained damage when the destroyer collided with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel in June.

Speaking to reporters last week at a Washington conference, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran said the Fitzgerald's trip is "defined within days."