UPDATE - USS Fitzgerald involved in collision

US Navy web site ^ | 16-June-2017

[topher]

tory Number: NNS170616-20Release Date: 6/16/2017 4:57:00 PM

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

PHILIPPINE SEA (NNS) -- USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time, June 17, while operating about 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka, Japan.

As of this time, there have been two patients requiring medical evacuation. One was Cmdr. Bryce Benson, Fitzgerald's commanding officer, who was transferred to U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka and is reportedly in stable condition. A second MEDEVAC is in progress. Other injured are being assessed. There are seven Sailors unaccounted for; the ship and the Japanese Coast Guard continues to search for them.

Although Fitzgerald is under her own power, USS Dewey (DDG 105) got underway this morning as well as several U.S. Navy aircraft, and will join Japanese Coast Guard and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopters, ships and aircraft to render whatever assistance may be required.

"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. 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," said Adm. John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations.

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

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.cpf.navy.mil.

[SargeK]

Many here question how ships equipped with radar can collide. See Andrea Doria vs. Stockholm. Radar-guided collisions are a hazard taught to every bridge officer, military or merchant. As soon as the risk of collision becomes apparent (steady bearing and decreasing range), communications and bold course changes are called for so that the ships’ aspect changes are obvious by her lights and on radar.

[AndyJackson]

Many here question how ships equipped with radar can collide.

Because there is no automatic collision avoidance system. Radar is just another indicator of the already obvious, as you state, constant bearing, decreasing range.

Avoidance requires the action of those charged with the safe navigation of the vessels involved - e.g. maneuver to avoid collision.

[AndyJackson]

The cargo ship was making some pretty erratic moves just prior to the collision.

If it was maneuvering erratically then it is at fault.

But liability under international law is not the issue here. The officers of the Fitzgerald have a duty to the taxpayers to preserve a fighting asset of the U.S. Navy and to operate prudently. When another vessel is sailing erratically, the prudent thing is to steer clear.

[TXnMA]

I've replicated the ACX Crystal's reported detailed path -- adding in the relative positions of the two vessels at the time of collision:

Based on the angle of impact, I'd say that it's likely that the Fitzgerald was maneuvering to avoid collision at the time of impact.

Perhaps I've been reading too much Clive Cussler ("Serpent" -- wherein the helmsman of the Stockholm deliberately rammed the Andrea Dorea)...

But,

Given the extremely difficult (and deliberate) maneuvering by the big container ship-- plus the fact that the ACX Crystal DID NOT STOP TO RENDER AID as required by international law -- I cannot help but speculate that the collision was a deliberate act of war by the helmsman and/or crew of the ACX Crystal...

~~~~

I almost hate to ask this, but -- has anyone checked the religion of the officers and crew of the ACX Crystal?

[Gideon7]

I heard that the Fitzgerald was stationary when the ACX Crystal turned around and rammed it.

This is starting to smell fishy.

[CGASMIA68]

A helmsman could not have done this

Does not the helmsman take orders from the OOD ?

Some one was not paying attention.
I sat radar on CG AC never on a ship but used to look at it on my Dear Ole Dads Grand Banks and it saved us many a time in the dark and fog.

Gender identity be it LGBTQ LMNOP is a cause for a confused mind and I wouldn’t want to take orders from any one in that state of mind. Just me

[CGASMIA68]

My beef is with the way the article was titled.
As with so many these days IMO it was wrong.
The vessels collided but which one did the colliding ,right or wrong.

[blueunicorn6]

I know that the cargo ship companies really watch their fuel use.

It makes no economic sense for the container ship to backtrack. They would just be burning money.

[GOYAKLA]

The course of the Crystal is more than worrisome! It reminds me of a Robber wandering around waiting for a Target(someone who just left a Bank with MONEY). The Crystal track, suggests Stalking!
To me, FBI should be deep in screening the Crystal Crew. Had the Fitzgerald just left port and if so, from where.
If Fitzgerald had been tracking ALL ships within 300 nm and observed this behavior then she should have been @ Battle Station and Crystal sunk at 50nm!
Someone’s +SS is grass!

[itsahoot]

The only time life jackets are worn is during general quarters.

Nope they are required in rough seas as well. I served on a WW II tanker that had a lower deck barely above water level and I have see green water above the second deck the only way you went on deck was with floatation gear and lashed to safety lines. Other wise cruise along like any other cruz liner.

[KC Burke]

That course is indeed bizarre. The speed reported sounded crazy as well — 15 knots at 2;30 am on a foggy night.

[mewzilla]

The merchant vessel didn’t stop afterwards?!

[mewzilla]

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20170618/k10011021491000.html

Update there. Discusses jurisdiction. Still no word on the 7 missing sailors, though the article mentions that the flooded sections of the destroyer are being drained and checked.

[Pentagon Leatherneck]

You may be correct Vince. Curious why the container was making a sudden hard torn to port in such close proximity to another vessel traveling opposite, in an established sea lane to boot. As someone previously pointed out, the AIS in both bridges should have given ample SA. Possibly the unusual abrupt course change into the sealane contributed. Too bad nobody used the radio.

TC

[Salvation]

Prayers for those injured or killed in this collision.

[MEG33]

Prayers for the lost and injured sailors.

[itsahoot]

This is a nasty comment these men are great Americans.

And the women are not?

[Pollster1]

I remember that one. It’s hard to believe it was 40 years ago.

[Pollster1]

I am curious how much experience the Officer of the Deck had - a rookie who drew the midwatch because he was junior, or their best man so the Captain could sleep soundly? I would also like to know where the Captain was, what he was doing, and how much notice he had of the impending close encounter. If he was notified late, was this another Captain who liked his sleep and retaliated against those who woke him up for small stuff (it happens, no matter what the written standing orders and SOP might say)? Was there a faulty transition from XO to CO, where the officers never fully saw their former XO as the Captain?

I’m glad I don’t have to do the investigation or analysis on this one; it will be ugly. Note: I have friends who recently left the Fitz. I haven’t heard from them yet and probably will not post online when I do.

[momincombatboots]

Grim reminder of life at sea. My Coworkers son was on board. . Is safe.