Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

USS Fitzgerald Combat Team Unaware of Approaching Merchant Ship Until Seconds Before Fatal Collision
U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings ^ | May 10, 2018 | :Sam LaGrone

Posted on 05/13/2018 2:59:41 PM PDT by Retain Mike

The sailors who were manning the combat nerve center of USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) did not know they were on a collision course with a ship almost three times their size until about one minute before impact, according to new information revealed in the preliminary hearing for two junior officers accused of negligent homicide for their role in the collision that resulted in the death of seven sailors.

Lt. Natalie Combs, the tactical action officer, and Lt. Irian Woodley, the surface warfare coordinator, were both on duty in the windowless combat information in the belly of the guided-missile destroyer on early on the morning of June 17 as the ship moved southwest from the coast of Japan less than a day out of port.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.usni.org ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: collision; fitzgerald; navy
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-100 next last
To: Steely Tom

That’s so hetero-normative. They were probably leveling their characters in World of Warcraft. /s


41 posted on 05/13/2018 3:56:49 PM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: A Navy Vet

Even our LST built in the 50’s had a repeater on the bridge.


42 posted on 05/13/2018 3:58:18 PM PDT by Retain Mike
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Forgotten Amendments

>>I heard an interesting story saying that the crews are routinely sleep deprived.

The crews of naval vessels are always sleep-deprived. I’ve been so tired that I couldn’t eat, but I stood my watch because my training took over once I signed into the logs.

This was the results of the Snowflake Generation taking over. The Navy is an early warning because it is place where young adults generally are in charge of powerful machinery. This will spread until the days of 24/7 running water and electricity on demand are over. On the average, this generation is not prepared to take the reins of an industrial civilization.

I work in the utility industry now and can see the warning signs in the few Snowflake Generation people who are willing to even take a job that doesn’t involve building web apps.


43 posted on 05/13/2018 3:58:55 PM PDT by Bryanw92 (Asking a pro athlete for political advice is like asking a cavalry horse for tactical advice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: A Navy Vet

Asleep at the helm? No lookouts on the flying bridge? Sad state of affairs.


44 posted on 05/13/2018 3:59:08 PM PDT by rktman (Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Forgotten Amendments

What are these competent seamen doing that they’re so tired but _none_ are standing deck watch?


45 posted on 05/13/2018 3:59:21 PM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Bryanw92

.
>> “On the average, this generation is not prepared to take the reins of an industrial civilization.” <<

On the average, this generation is not prepared to use the head without mommie’s help.
.


46 posted on 05/13/2018 4:01:55 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Bryanw92

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RHcz1KS7F8

Living conditions on a Fletcher class destroyer in 52’.

You can imagine just how worn out they would be after a few weeks at sea.


47 posted on 05/13/2018 4:02:26 PM PDT by Snickering Hound
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Snickering Hound

In the New Navy, that’s a guy.


48 posted on 05/13/2018 4:03:01 PM PDT by PLMerite ("They say that we were Cold Warriors. Yes, and a bloody good show, too." - Robert Conquest)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: Forgotten Amendments

I was always sleep deprived when we were underway, but there was nothing like a watch with a few ships around to get the adrenalin flowing. The guys standing watches as phone talkers and lookouts were a different story. Keeping them involved could be hard.


49 posted on 05/13/2018 4:03:58 PM PDT by Retain Mike
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: PeterPrinciple
What is the solution?

How about accepting the failure of the "new" idea and going back to what used to work.

50 posted on 05/13/2018 4:04:20 PM PDT by egfowler3 (Vacancy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: BradyLS

.
Where did you get the idea that they are “Competent Seamen?”

This is still Obama’s Navy; it will take years to clean this drain.
.


51 posted on 05/13/2018 4:04:46 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: rktman

A 1.5 BILLION dollar warship is worthless with cheaply recruited and trained sailors running it. It will cost 1/3 Billion to repair it.


52 posted on 05/13/2018 4:06:27 PM PDT by shanover (...To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.-S.Adams)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: PLMerite

.
>> “In the New Navy, that’s a guy.” <<

One of my grand daughters who very much resembles her is now one of them!
.


53 posted on 05/13/2018 4:07:40 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: Retain Mike
They ran into a ship only slightly smaller than the Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga.


54 posted on 05/13/2018 4:11:07 PM PDT by PLMerite ("They say that we were Cold Warriors. Yes, and a bloody good show, too." - Robert Conquest)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Steely Tom

Texting or playing games on smart phone.


55 posted on 05/13/2018 4:12:22 PM PDT by SgtHooper (If you remember the 60's, YOU WEREN'T THERE!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Retain Mike

Team? I don’t think so.


56 posted on 05/13/2018 4:13:58 PM PDT by Eddie01
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Snickering Hound

her skirt appears to dangle from her magical wrists, which is cool.


57 posted on 05/13/2018 4:16:04 PM PDT by Eddie01
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: Retain Mike
The junior lieutenant in charge of navigating the USS Fitzgerald when it collided with a commercial vessel pleaded guilty Tuesday to dereliction of duty and acknowledged her role in the deaths of seven sailors last year. Lt. j.g. Sarah Coppock


58 posted on 05/13/2018 4:18:37 PM PDT by Chode (You have all of the resources you are going to have. Abandon your illusions and plan accordingly.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mariner

Concur. Given the OOD’s testimony that she had no confidence in CIC and that data about only tracking 5 targets instead of 25 like the other ship means she was not without foundation. But there was an obvious lack of competence all around. That ship had no business leaving the dock. And I fear this is not an isolated instance.


59 posted on 05/13/2018 4:26:25 PM PDT by NonValueAdded (#DeplorableMe #BitterClinger #HillNO! #cishet #MyPresident #MAGA #Winning #covfefe)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Chode

I believe she’s got a little Susan Smith in her.

Surprised her name isn’t Tiffany.


60 posted on 05/13/2018 4:30:43 PM PDT by Eddie01
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-100 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson