Posted on 02/13/2025 12:16:45 PM PST by ransomnote
One who wanted to test if it was possible to get close.
Think about it.
Looks like the Truman was either about to enter the Suez canal or had just exited..
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Yep. More preliminary info at What’s going on with Shipping
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqRe-ouavjw
Our LST finished its time with an ARG from the west coast and headed through the Tonkin Gulf back to Yokosuka. There was a special set of Rules of the Road applicable in that area and the escorts were responsible for enforcing them for those, who unlike us, may not have understood. The admiral’s basic rule was, “I’ll do what I want, when I want, and you make sure everyone stays the hell out of the way.”
CAPT Dave Snowden, Commanding OfficerBye Captain we hardly knew ye. Don't let the door hit you where the ...Captain Dave Snowden graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace engineering. He earned a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy from National Defense University's Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy in 2016.
As an aviator, he served in sea duty assignments including junior officer tours with the "Scouts" of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 24 and the "Mighty Shrikes" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94, department head with the "Kestrels" of VFA-137, and commander of VFA-25 "Fist of the Fleet". He completed multiple deployments aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), flying combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. After completing of nuclear power training Captain Snowden served as the executive officer onboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). His most recent sea duty assignment was Commanding Officer of USS San Antonio (LPD 17).
Snowden's shore duty assignments include instructor of pilot and department head at the "Rough Raiders" of VFA-125, Strike Fighter and Carrier Air Wing Placement Officer at Navy Personnel Command, executive officer with the VFA-122 "Flying Eagles", and as Joint Exercise Division Chief, Joint Staff J-7.
CAPT Snowden's military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (2 Awards), Strike/Flight Air Medal (2 Awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5 Awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various personal, unit, and service awards.
See post 4
We Submariners always stayed out of their way, too.
We ain't stupid.
Back in 1988 the USS Dwight D Eisenhower was returning from an uneventful 6 month deployment and was under the control of the Hampton Roads Harbor Pilot, as it was making its turn toward pier 12 in Norfolk it collided with a collier damaging both ships. The captain was relieved of his command. A friend of mine who was on the bridge at the time commented that, “what the insurance companies say is true, most accidents occur within 5 miles of home.”
That’s interesting. I don’t know how these systems work. The guy playing back the tracking info on the display screen said that the Navy vessels appeared to have their locational (AIS?) systems turned off. He then said that in a heavily congested area, they should have been switched on, but a couple of minutes later, he said that the Navy doesn’t want to reveal the location of its vessels in tight corners like the Suez.
I don’t know what to make of this, but perhaps switching the systems off is a basic security precaution in areas in which the local jihadis can track you online in real time. In any event, there would be rules about this. If the collision was at night after the Truman had gone dark, the question is how the collision danger is supposed to be handled. Surely we’re not back to sharp eyed lookouts with eyes on the sea and no electronic backup. Surely????
I’m just curious about how this is supposed to work.
53000 ton seems light for the ship in the pic. 100000 ton seems on the heavy side for a Carrier.
The Truman’s AIS was turned OFF in heavy marine traffic, as was the AIS of the escort destroyer, USS Dunham; very unusual. The ship’s captain just lost his command, for sure.
Suez Canal is as busy as an INTERSTATE! Very cool to go thru.
I not sure, but the pervious couple of US Navy ship collisions took place in busy shipping lanes.
Unless that is a basic security precaution in an area where ships are sitting ducks and the local nogoodnicks can track you in real time via commercially available online programs.
If going dark (at least for AIS) is a security precaution, it would be routine in a place like the entrance to the Suez. If it’s routine, there would be rules about collision avoidance without the AIS assist.
I have no idea what the rules are, but if both the Truman and Dunham had gone dark, it’s not just one captain’s mistake. At least the Truman is big enough to win most collisions. That might have sunk the Dunham.
I have no idea about the proper procedures. Inquiring minds want to know.
“.........How does one not see an aircraft carrier?.............”
More realistically, how does an aircraft carrier not know precisely where any ship is located within several miles of that aircraft carrier. If the US Navy is that lax about not monitoring ships in the area of an aircraft carrier, then heaven help us.
And yes, I understand that for commercial shipping through the Suez Canal a local pilot is to come aboard and command the ship through the Canal. It would be interesting to know if a nuclear carrier will surrender control of the helm to a local pilot.
The other boat was not named the “Buck”
Very good question. One would think it would be detected —and neutralized, if necessary— FAR before any contact occurred.
Bingo!
Who is the Captain?
In heavy marine traffic when transmitting a canal, the AIS is always on. If this was an operation to transit without AIS, it’s still a fail because the procedures were not followed to inform the shipping to change course.
The videos I’ve watched shows aircraft carriers surrounded by various support vessels. And I betcha there are a couple aircraft up there too. There is no excuse. The captains of all vessels in the field of view of that merchant ship and carrier should be relieved of duty along with all hands that were on the bridge of all.
I wonder what DEI had to do with it. Were they all taking tranny training, watching tranny porn or just what?
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