Propellor wash blamed for damage at memorial

The Navy said Thursday that it is uncertain if a hospital ship hit the dock of the USS Arizona Memorial as was initially reported.

As it began its investigation into the cause of the accident, the Navy said damage to the USS Arizona Memorial’s floating dock occurred from strong propeller wash from the hospital ship USNS Mercy that caused the dock to strike the memorial.

The Navy also said Thursday the hospital ship, being maneuvered by two tugboats to transit Pearl Harbor from its berth out to sea, may have made contact with the floating dock.

Navy spokesman Bill Doughty said: "As the Mercy turned to head out to the channel, the ship may have made contact with the floating dock leading to the USS Arizona Memorial. Strong prop wash from the ship pushed the floating dock and access structure (brow) approximately 10 feet toward the memorial, damaging handrails and the dock’s infrastructure."

The Military Sealift Command will be leading the Navy’s investigation, and the Coast Guard, which reviews the conduct of licensed civilian mariners, is conducting its own probe.

National Park Service officials said they hope to renew visits onto the memorial by Thursday.

The dock suffered superficial damage at the junction of the memorial and dock and extensive damage to the access that connects the dock to the memorial.

The Arizona Memorial, the most popular tourist attraction in Hawaii, experienced a 20 percent drop in visitors Thursday, in light of damage that forced a modified tour. Visitors aboard ferry boats were able to view the memorial and a gun turret sticking above water from the ship.

Park Service spokeswoman Abby Wines said it was "heartbreaking" to see people who have traveled thousands of miles unable to obtain the full experience offered by the memorial.