7 U.S. Sailors Unaccounted for After Navy Destroyer Collides With Ship Off Japan

[Anti Federalist]

7 U.S. Sailors Unaccounted for After Navy Destroyer Collides With Ship Off Japan

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-naval-vessel-collides-merchant-ship-southwest-japan-n773521

by Courtney Kube and Phil McCausland

Seven U.S. sailors are unaccounted for after a Navy destroyer collided with a merchant ship southwest of Yokosuka, Japan, early Saturday local time, the Navy said.

The USS Fitzgerald, a 505-foot destroyer, collided with a Philippine container vessel at approximately 2:30 a.m. Saturday local time (1:30 p.m. ET Friday), about 56 nautical miles of Yokosuka, the U.S. 7th Fleet said.

The ship, which had experienced some flooding after the collision, and the Japanese Coast Guard were searching for the seven missing sailors, the Fleet said.

"Right now we are focused on two things: the safety of the ship and the well-being of the Sailors," Adm. Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, said in a statement. "We thank our Japanese partners for their assistance."

The Fitzgerald’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Bryce Benson, was injured and transported by helicopter to the U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka and is reportedly in stable condition, the Fleet said. Two other were also injured and flown by helicopter to the naval hospital. the Navy said.

The White House said President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation.

The Fleet said earlier that some flooding was reported on the Fitzgerald, but it remained under its own power but propulsion was limited.

The Fitzgerald suffered damage to its starboard side above and below the waterline, the Fleet said earlier. A U.S. Navy official said after the collision that the bridge was damaged and communication with the ship was limited and difficult.

"U.S. and Japanese support from the Navy, Maritime Self Defense Force and Coast Guard are in the area to ensure that the Sailors on USS Fitzgerald have the resources they need to stabilize their ship,” Adm. John Richardson, chief of naval operations, said in a statement.

"As more information is learned, we will be sure to share to it with the Fitzgerald families and when appropriate the public. Thank you for your well wishes and messages of concern. All of our thoughts and prayers are with the Fitzgerald crew and their families," Richardson said.

The USS Dewey and Navy several Navy aircraft will also the Japanese Coast Guard and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to assist in the search.

 

[Anti Federalist]

The other ship.

 

[Anti Federalist]

Just based on what I am seeing here, and not knowing what kind of crossing arrangements may have been made, but that looks like the navy vessel fucked up.

In a crossing situation, such as this obviously was, the vessel on the starboard side, the green side, the container ship, has the right of way, and the vessel on the port, the red side, the navy ship, is obliged to keep clear, slow down and let the other ship pass ahead or alter course and pass astern of the other vessel.

And navy ships are not cops, they are required to follow the "rules of the road" just like any other vessel.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Just based on what I am seeing here, and not knowing what kind of crossing arrangements may have been made, but that looks like the navy vessel fucked up.

In a crossing situation, such as this obviously was, the vessel on the starboard side, the green side, the container ship, has the right of way, and the vessel on the port, the red side, the navy ship, is obliged to keep clear, slow down and let the other ship pass ahead or alter course and pass astern of the other vessel.

And navy ships are not cops, they are required to follow the "rules of the road" just like any other vessel.

I would tend to agree, based purely upon what has been reported and the size and maneuverability of the two ships. If you drive your car into the side of a locomotive, the blame tends to point to the smaller vehicle.

 

[Anti Federalist]

I would tend to agree, based purely upon what has been reported and the size and maneuverability of the two ships. If you drive your car into the side of a locomotive, the blame tends to point to the smaller vehicle.

Well, in this case, size has little to do with it, in this case the larger vessel "drove" into the smaller one, the navy vessel.

Based on what I can see and the damage that was done it looks like the naval vessel maintained course and speed, presenting her starboard side to the approaching container ship, in a misjudged attempt to cross her bow, a violation of Rule 15.

It also looks like, at the last minute, the container ship altered course to starboard in an attempt to avoid the naval vessel, the damage on the bow indicates that.

The flooding on the destroyer is due to the bulbous bow on the container ship punching a 15 foot diameter hole in her hull below the waterline.

That also indicates a pretty much perpendicular collision.

Now, that said, the rules are written in such a way that the other vessel, the container ship, while required to hold course and speed, is also required to take action if the other vessel is not complying with the rules and danger of collision exists. She violated Rule 17.

RULE 7

Risk of Collision.

(a) Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt, such risk shall be deemed to exist.

(ii) such risk may sometimes exist even when an appreciable bearing change is evident, particularly when approaching a very large vessel or a tow or when approaching a vessel at close range.

RULE 15

Crossing Situation.

When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.

Rule 17

Action by Stand-on Vessel.

(a) (i) Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way the other shall keep her course and speed.

(ii) The latter vessel may however take action to avoid collision by her manoeuvre alone, as soon as it becomes apparent to her that the vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action in compliance with these rules.

(b) When, from any cause, the vessel required to keep her course and speed finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, she shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision.

That's the "Gotcha" rule.

 

[Anti Federalist]

Now, that's just based on what I see in the pictures.

There are any number of other possibilities based on radio passing agreements, mechanical failure that could have altered course or speed abruptly on either vessel, electronic navigation equipment failure...

 

[sparebulb]

As one who tends not to jump to early conclusions regarding these type of things, I faithfully offer the possibility that the captain was preoccupied with a sailor who had his shirt tail hanging out while the helmsman was ordered to maintain the turn.

Regardless, it is fitting that the captain was hurt badly enough to be evacuated.

I will assume that the maritime business is the same as aviation in that there are no real good excuses for navigational errors, taxiing errors, and see and avoid errors.

 

[JK/SEA]

yep...somebody on that navy ship fucked up. BIG TIME.

 

[Anti Federalist]

As one who tends not to jump to early conclusions regarding these type of things, I faithfully offer the possibility that the captain was preoccupied with a sailor who had his shirt tail hanging out while the helmsman was ordered to maintain the turn.

Regardless, it is fitting that the captain was hurt badly enough to be evacuated.

I will assume that the maritime business is the same as aviation in that there are no real good excuses for navigational errors, taxiing errors, and see and avoid errors.

One of my favorite books and favorite movies.

That said, at 0230, the CO wasn't on the bridge, he was in his stateroom, sound asleep more than likely and also likely that is why he was injured, because the master's room would be right about where that damage is on the topsides house.

Unless there was something extraordinary going on prior to the collision, a junior officer had the conn at the time, I'm quite sure.

Not that it matters, the CO will still be held to blame even if he was "asleep and off watch at the time".

And your assumption is quite right...see the "Gotcha" rule I posted earlier.

 

[Dr.3D]

yep...somebody on that navy ship fucked up. BIG TIME.

Might have been obsessed about some missing ice cream or something.

 

[TheTexan]

The USS Fitzgerald, a 505-foot destroyer, collided with a Philippine container vessel at approximately 2:30 a.m. Saturday local time (1:30 p.m. ET Friday), about 56 nautical miles of Yokosuka, the U.S. 7th Fleet said.

Is the American ship OK?

 

[francisco]

Might have been obsessed about some missing ice cream or something.

Strawberries

 

[Dr.3D]

Strawberries

Yes, strawberries and ice cream.

 

[Anti Federalist]

Strawberries

Doc beat me to it.

 

[Anti Federalist]

 

[oyarde]

Looks like bodies have been found in the wreckage and remains sent for testing for identification , families are being notified . Safe to say all 7 are deceased .

 

[oyarde]

Is the American ship OK?

No and a very irresponsible use of tax dollars it appears .

 

[Danke]

Yes, strawberries and ice cream.

You think that's bad, can you imagine being on a boat where AF is the skipper?

 

[Schifference]

Rules are going to have to change in regards to yielding the right of way to any and all American Military Vessels. If it were not for Russia hacking the election this would have never happened. I heard from reliable sources that this time the Philippines conspired with Russia and the Philippines were the ones responsible for the leak. Regardless the ocean is too small of a place to have this kind of stuff happening. I wonder how many small sailboats unknowingly get run over by military vessels each year.

 

[TheTexan]

Rules are going to have to change in regards to yielding the right of way to any and all American Military Vessels. If it were not for Russia hacking the election this would have never happened. I heard from reliable sources that this time the Philippines conspired with Russia and the Philippines were the ones responsible for the leak. Regardless the ocean is too small of a place to have this kind of stuff happening. I wonder how many small sailboats unknowingly get run over by military vessels each year.

+rep for safety American military vessels should always have right-of-way