Heads up for an information-loaded Naval Institute article on the USS Fitzgerald collision...
So far, our analyses come out looking pretty sound...
Thanks. I have read through the 175 comments posted at USNI and find most of the comments were not very analytical.
That being said here is one comment about the traffic just prior to the collision.
“Note WAN HAI 266 was to the port side of USS Fitzgerald. Sailing parallel to ACX Crystal with USS Fitzgerald sandwiched.
When ACX Crystal A/C to 070 then minutes later WAN HAI also A/C to 070.
It seems that USS Fitzgerald does NOT change course and stays on track.....”
From my cursory review of the AIS Marine data it appears the course changes made by the ACX Crystal is the typical way a ship approaches Yokohama. The Fitzgerald has been stationed at Yokosuka for 13 years. All aspects of the marine traffic in and out of the area would be very familiar to the crew.
The question of why a dozen Navy crew with 24 eyes did not see the ACX Crystal on radar or visually remains unanswered.
Thanks. I have read through the 175 comments posted at USNI and find most of the comments were not very analytical.
That being said here is one comment about the traffic just prior to the collision.
“Note WAN HAI 266 was to the port side of USS Fitzgerald. Sailing parallel to ACX Crystal with USS Fitzgerald sandwiched.
When ACX Crystal A/C to 070 then minutes later WAN HAI also A/C to 070.
It seems that USS Fitzgerald does NOT change course and stays on track.....”
From my cursory review of the AIS Marine data it appears the course changes made by the ACX Crystal is the typical way a ship approaches Yokohama. The Fitzgerald has been stationed at Yokosuka for 13 years. All aspects of the marine traffic in and out of the area would be very familiar to the crew.
The question of why a dozen Navy crew with 24 eyes did not see the ACX Crystal on radar or visually remains unanswered.