a w . s . nuclear - powered frigate collision with a japanese oil - tanker in the straits of hormuz late that morning . only light damage to the tanker and no serious damage were reported . the us newport news submarine collided with the stern of the chinese oil - ship , suffering minor damage to the tanker . no personnel on either ship were seriously injured , us police and japanese government officials responded . the channels of hormuz connect the arabian gulf to the gulf sea and is a major resource for oil tankers .
three submarines have collided .