USS Fitzgerald collision with the ACX Crystal

[wannabfree]

Navy files homicide charges against commanders of 2 ships in deadly crashes

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/01/16/na ... ashes.html

[wannabfree]

Navy to relieve USS Fitzgerald leadership for mistakes that led to deadly collision

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/17/worl ... pe=article

[Guest]

I have worked in the Traffic Center in Welland and few US Navy ships on goodwill mission into the Great Lakes, on occasions, did not display Navigation Lights. We received complaints from the Lakers in the immediate area and after informing the Navy ships were told they were on exercise mode.

[Greenshirt]

The ACX Crystal would have presented a much more visible object then the Fitzgerald (which was probably running without lights) and as the burdened vessel must maintain course and speed until the point of extremes at which time both vessels must take action.

They generally run with t heir running lights, unless necessary for training or operations

[hugh3]

The ACX Crystal would have presented a much more visible object then the Fitzgerald (which was probably running without lights) and as the burdened vessel must maintain course and speed until the point of extremes at which time both vessels must take action.

[Guest]

I've often wondered just how much the bridge crew can see on those container ships with their decks piled high. This article gets into the subject:

http://www.oldsaltblog.com/2017/07/cont ... more-47001

Seems like bow mounted high definition video cameras could help...

[Guest]

Initial investigation blames Navy for USS Fitzgerald collision


http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/21/politics/ ... index.html

[Greenshirt]

The Philippine container ship that crashed into a US guided-missile destroyer may be liable for almost $2 billion



http://www.businessinsider.com/philippi ... ity-2017-7

It's an interesting read, and the second article is even more interesting. Essentially, the acx can have to pay for the damages but all data is pointing to the Fitz being at fault. But in the rules of the road, both ships are at fault during a collision

[hugh3]

I would like to read about a case where a vessel that sustained damage to her Port side by a vessel doing the damage with her Starboard side and the vessel with damage to her Port side is found at fault.

[Guest]

The Philippine container ship that crashed into a US guided-missile destroyer may be liable for almost $2 billion



http://www.businessinsider.com/philippi ... ity-2017-7

[Guest]

I'm sorry for my poor spelling - My opening words should read " May God bless". Never have we owed so much to so few to keep us safe !

[ed]

My God bless the families of the seven who were lost! I appreciate their service so that I could celebrate this July 4th in a free country. Thanks to all that serve defending my country and keeping me safe each and every day !

[Guest]

One area to look for as a problem with shipping on the ocean is their crew member reductions. Some 1000 ft ships with limited qualified personnel (some with 11 or less men) and using satellite for main navigation in narrow areas is asking for trouble. Now the military ships do not use AIS, does this mean the merchant ship using satellite for navigation disregard any vessel not using AIS? Maybe be visual only. Companies boost about piloting a vessel across the ocean by satellite with no one needed in the bridge.

The navy does use AIS, they do not transmit but they do receive all ais. This ais data is provided to their radars in real time.

The freighters do still use radar, as required by IMO, and are able to actively track targets on their radar.

Regardless, the ddg will have still seen the vessel, and by IMO regulation, contacted the ACX via bridge to bridge to develop their proper course at that time. Or they should have.

The issue could have stemmed from the ACX nor having english speakers onboard. I have seen that in multiple countries.

[hugh3]

In his report, the ACX Crystal's captain said there was "confusion" on his ship's bridge, and that it turned around and returned to the collision site after continuing for 6 nautical miles.

Well ya, It would take her that far to get her checked down and turned around!

[Nighthunter]

One area to look for as a problem with shipping on the ocean is their crew member reductions. Some 1000 ft ships with limited qualified personnel (some with 11 or less men) and using satellite for main navigation in narrow areas is asking for trouble. Now the military ships do not use AIS, does this mean the merchant ship using satellite for navigation disregard any vessel not using AIS? Maybe be visual only. Companies boost about piloting a vessel across the ocean by satellite with no one needed in the bridge.

[Guest]

Six investigations launched so far and they've released a statement from the Captain of the ACX Crystal:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa- ... SKBN19H13C

[Guest]

Maritime Mystery: Why a U.S. Destroyer would fail to dodge a cargo ship


https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/23/worl ... ision.html

[Guest]

Investigators believe FITZGERALD crew fought flooding for an hour before distress call reached help.

https://news.usni.org/2017/06/21/invest ... ached-help

I can understand that. Having been in the navy and spending time both in combat and on the bridge during drills, the amount of activity is staggering, and I cannot even begin to fathom the activity during an actual casualty. Even with DCC taking over for the casualty, the bridge still was coordinating the vessel maneuvering at the time. They also could have been hailing over bridge to bridge vhf for a very long time, given the time of the casualty, before any one picked it up.

All of this depends on if the ship went to general quarters, which would have further added an immense weight to the situation at hand. Given that everyone has a different GQ position than what their current watch rotation is.

[hugh3]

No pilot required in those waters. Civilian vessel requires licensed personnel as required by country of registry. Naval ship is a public vessel and crewed by military personnel of country of origin.

[lance]

were either vessel carrying a pilot?