In the first detailed account from one of those directly involved, the cargo ship's captain said the ACX Crystal had signalled with flashing lights after the Fitzgerald "suddenly" steamed on to a course to cross its path.
The container ship steered hard to starboard (right) to avoid the warship, but hit the Fitzgerald 10 minutes later at 1:30 a.m., according to a copy of Captain Ronald Advincula's report to Japanese ship owner Dainichi Investment Corporation that was seen by Reuters.
The U.S. Navy declined to comment and Reuters was not able to independently verify the account.
Take it at face value. Until we get confirmation, I'll hold off on further speculation.
BULLSHIRT!
I would agree, face value only. Odd that Crystal would try to raise the Fitzgerald with a flashing light. This is something that commercial mariners very seldom use. She was suppose to have had bridge to bridge radio (channel 13) on in her bridge. At sea, while on watch, I have been contacted many times, by commercial ships, on this radio net. But in 25 years in the Navy, I have only seen 1 commercial vessel ever use a flashing light.
~~
No speculation, but observation based on data:
"Hard to starboard" = a maximum course change of 12 degrees (70 degrees to 88 degrees...) -- after ten (10) minutes with rudder hard over???
(That's from memory; I think the actual data will look even worse -- back later...)