Navy to bring damaged destroyer stateside for repair due to scope of work

The Navy plans to bring the damaged destroyer Fitzgerald (DDG-62) back stateside for repair because it was determined the scope of work could not be completed in Japan.

On June 17, the warship collided with a cargo tanker off the coast of Japan, resulting in the deaths of seven sailors.

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran told reporters Aug. 17 at the Pentagon the Navy is not releasing the cost estimate publicly for what it will take "to lift, not tow" the ship to the United States.

The service recently released a request for proposals for the work. The Navy is uncertain of which shipyard has the capacity to repair the ship, he said.

Naval Sea Systems Command engineers determined the Fitzgerald needed to be repaired in the United States. The service did not receive pressure from Congress, Moran added.

The Navy also today released a report that concludes the deaths and injuries suffered by the Fitzgerald's sailors "occurred in the line of duty and none were due to any member's own misconduct."