[jroehl]

>>>>near South America<<<<<<

Did they provide map coordinates for this location? lol

[Texas resident]

DEI at work again?

[Trueblackman]

More than likely a steering failure or a strong cross current that pushed both ships together. Some Captain is about to have a very bad day.

[grobdriver]

Prolly just a little scrapped paint and bent railing. I'm surprised more of this doesn't happen - and maybe it does but we never/rarely hear of it. I was Naval Air (VP Navy) so I never witnessed replenishment at sea.

But I imagine someone's career is over.

[lee martell]

Here comes the Blame Game, followed most likely, by the loss of a Commission. Someone is going to quietly resign, and elect to spend more time with his/her family.
The conclusion may not be known for several years.
Our military, any military, can be very insular, self governing and separated from the civilian world when they choose to be.

[suthener]

Okay, I’m kind of expert on this sort thing myself. I was an eye witness to the USS Mars/USS Cook collision in 1979 from the perspective of the forward winch deck on the Mars. The USS Mars was a supply ship, and we did underway replenishment to other ships on a regular basis. Our collision had nothing to do with unrepping, but unrepping requires high levels of coordination. We almost collided with other ships twice during unreps. There is very little on the internet about our collision, but I believe this short video was made by one of my crew mates. I recognize the names of several commenters on the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzdqAspYUn4

[Afterguard]

Meh, it happens. Two big hulls running in parallel usually only a few 10s of yards apart create a venturi effect that tends to draw them together. Unfortunate that a couple of sailors were hurt, but the real responsibility lies with the respective ships Captains. But I doubt anyone will lose their command.

[AlaskaErik]

Someone is going to be relieved of command.

[DesertRhino]

Women drivers again...

[kawhill]

Is port left and starboard right? Yes, sailor we left port.

[reed13k]

Could have been any number of factors: currents, steering or other mechanical issues, helmsman, or a failure to account for the hydrodynamic pressure zones properly during approach or breakaway (This will be my guess - likely too close of an approach). Sounds like no injuries at least.

[jagusafr]

Somebody’s losing a command...

[Vermont Lt]

And just like that….a career is ended.

[Towed_Jumper]

DEI at work again?

Hmmm. Here's the current Commanding Officer of the USS Truxtan. (You won't be disappointed).

https://www.surflant.usff.navy.mil/Leadership/All-Leadership/Article/3647157/commanding-officer-uss-truxtun-ddg-103/

[Libloather]

What? The Navy forgot how to buff?

[JimRed]

Refueling at sea is a standard operation, but misreading wind, wave action or currents can result in undesired contact.

[Larry Lucido]

A Coast Guard "land guy" would have known how to untie the rope from the...place.

[NavyShoe]

I have conned a Navy Warship through numerous unreps. It's difficult. Wind and sea state can squeeze the ships together when they are at the close proximity necessary for an unrep. Ship's Company works as a team: It's a beautiful sight to see.

[rktman]

Been there done that. Always a little added stress during highline/refueling details.

[katana]

Based on films I’ve seen of at sea and underway refueling and resupply operations it’s amazing that such accidents don’t happen all the time.