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US navy crash blamed on 'catastrophic' leadership
Press TV ^ | November 20th 2009 | AR/MMN

Posted on 11/22/2009 10:25:50 AM PST by Cardhu

A collision between a nuclear-powered US Navy submarine and a US warship in the Strait of Hormuz was caused by "catastrophic failure" in management, a US Navy report says.

US Navy investigators found that "ineffective and negligent" management and the failure of navigation practices were to blame for a March 2009 collision between the USS Hartford and the USS New Orleans, an amphibious vessel.

"This incident comes down to weak and complacent leadership, which led to inadequate planning and preparation of the crew," the Navy Times said in its report.

Commander of US Fleet Forces Command Adm. John C. Harvey Jr. endorsed the findings of the report and described the collision as "avoidable."

"Correction of any one of nearly 30 tactical and watchstander errors, or adherence to standard procedure, could have prevented this collision," he was quoted by AFP as saying.

"In this case, the command team failed to do so, and a high price has been paid for that shortcoming," he explained.

Fifteen sailors aboard the submarine were injured. One of the diesel tanks of the New Orleans was ruptured, which resulted in an oil spill of approximately 25,000 gallons (90,000 liters) of diesel fuel.

The collision also inflicted hefty financial damages at a time when the United States is still recovering from recession. The USS Hartford is undergoing an extensive repair, which is expected to cost about USD 100 million, while the USS New Orleans suffered damages worth USD 2.3 million.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, connects the Persian Gulf with the Sea of Oman. Nearly 40 percent of the world's crude oil passes through this waterway.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: hormuz; navy; us; usshartford
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To: rottndog

It dont take much to ruin a career in the military. This should sink a lot of officers and Senior NCOs careers into the briny deep.
I am sure that Burger King will hire one or two.


21 posted on 11/22/2009 11:22:42 AM PST by Yorlik803 (better to die on your feet than live on your knees.)
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To: Cardhu

You thaid Preth TV’s newth wath traight, and I went for the bad pun on Thraight of Hormuth...


22 posted on 11/22/2009 11:22:59 AM PST by null and void (We are now in day 305 of our national holiday from reality. - 0bama really isn't one of US.)
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To: paterfamilias

Just wait until the plan to put women aboard submarines is implemented. Everything will be fixed then.

This has been a few tough years for submariners.

First there was the boat that surfaced under a Japanese fishing/training vessel off Hawaii that killed a couple of students,

Then the San Fran ran into a sea mount and tore her nose off,

Now the Hartford.

There has also been some instances of crews radioing in watch reports and such and, worst of all, getting caught.

It’s getting a little sloppy out there.


23 posted on 11/22/2009 11:24:25 AM PST by seowulf (Petraeus, cross the Rubicon.)
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To: rottndog

I agree with you, any incident involving nuclear power is huge wake-up call for all concerned.

Having such negligence in that part of the world during what amounts to “wartime” is inexcusable.


24 posted on 11/22/2009 11:27:08 AM PST by Cardhu
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To: Cardhu

The Capt’n of that sub should be relieved of command. The chain-of-command is in place and all are accountable for their actions whether it’s an E-1 or an O-6.


25 posted on 11/22/2009 11:30:28 AM PST by rbosque (10 year Freeper!)
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To: null and void

LOL — Try Google Earth they have it as Hormuz


26 posted on 11/22/2009 11:30:49 AM PST by Cardhu
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To: Cardhu
Failure of navigation practices doesn't matter - the real qualification for Captains is are they "inclusive". Do they accept gays? Do they know Muslims must NEVER be challenged? Do they understand the only enemy of the United States is fellow citizens who happen to be conservative?

That "failure of navigation practices" is bogus.

27 posted on 11/22/2009 11:34:24 AM PST by GOPJ (ObamaCare - slush fund scam that would make Bernie Madoff blush.)
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To: ImJustAnotherOkie

My thoughts also....diversity strikes again.......


28 posted on 11/22/2009 11:35:46 AM PST by goat granny
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To: GOPJ

:)


29 posted on 11/22/2009 11:38:12 AM PST by Cardhu
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To: Cardhu
"Correction of any one of nearly 30 tactical and watchstander errors, or adherence to standard procedure, could have prevented this collision," he was quoted by AFP as saying.

In this I see the typical pattern of absurdly overregulated activities, of which the military is the traditional paragon. The practitioners, in the reality of the event, could not possibly guide themselves by the the multitudinous and often contradictory regulations, and must make do with a large salting of personal judgement. When something goes wrong, the authorities invariably have a raft of violations to point to. It's ridiculous.

30 posted on 11/22/2009 11:39:16 AM PST by dr_lew
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To: Cardhu

Uh...backwards.

USS Hartford SSN 768

USS New Orleans LPD 18


31 posted on 11/22/2009 11:39:44 AM PST by onedoug
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To: seowulf

“Just wait until the plan to put women aboard submarines is implemented. Everything will be fixed then.”

Fasten your seatbelt. USNA announced service selection for the Class of 2010 this past week. Female midshipmen who have received Nuclear SWO but who have interest in the submarine service will be interviewed for that billet in January.

No doubt, Adm. Rickover is twirling in his grave.


32 posted on 11/22/2009 11:40:03 AM PST by paterfamilias
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To: Iron Munro; paterfamilias

The really sad part, is after that comment can you trust the results any investigation by the brass?

It is painfully obvious their precious diversity trumps reality and they would not be above lying to preserve it.

As a veteran, I’m amazed how that one comment turned my respect for the military on it’s head. I would honestly discourage any young man at this time from joining.


33 posted on 11/22/2009 11:41:09 AM PST by ImJustAnotherOkie
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To: onedoug

See post #2 and #4


34 posted on 11/22/2009 11:43:19 AM PST by Cardhu
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To: dr_lew

I tend to agree they can come up with a whole host of regulations THAT are impossible ot carry out in real life.

This is what APF wrote:

“The crash between the USS Hartford and USS New Orleans on March 20 was a “catastrophic failure” of management and navigation practices on the Hartford, according to the report, large parts of which have been blacked out, obtained by the Navy Times.

The investigation revealed that sailors on board the USS New Orleans took a “lax” approach to navigating their vessel, with those assigned to keep watch often sleeping on the job.

The report described one navigator listening to his iPod and simultaneously taking an exam while on duty.

“This incident comes down to weak and complacent leadership, which led to inadequate planning and preparation of the crew,” the report said.”


35 posted on 11/22/2009 12:01:30 PM PST by Cardhu
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To: Cardhu

It’s just that I have alot of affection for LPDs.

“Fair wind and a following sea.”


36 posted on 11/22/2009 12:03:26 PM PST by onedoug
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To: All
"...The submarine had five known "sleepers," or sailors who would routinely nod off on watch..."

Good God. Are they crazy? I was in an attack squadron during the Seventies when I would think standards would have been even more lax, and I was petrified that I would nod off during mid watch ON A BASE ON A SUNDAY WITH NO FLIGHT OPS!

Maybe it is just me, but I can't see someone being on an attack sub, in the Persian Gulf, nodding off while on watch. Just can't see it.

On a related note, when I was on the Kennedy, they had a guy standing midwatch on the port quarter, and he fell asleep. His buddy came to talk to him, saw he was asleep, and dreamed up a great prank. He snuck over on his hands and knees, tied his buddy's shoelaces together, then went back into the ship and projecting his voice through the hatch said "Man Overboard! Man Overboard!" He said it just loud enough for his buddy to hear through his sound powered phones, and he leaped to his feet falling on his face in the process.

The only problem was someone up on the catwalk above heard the Man Overboard and raised the alarm. The entire task force awoke in the middle of the night and began recovery procedures.

Both sailors were court martialed.

37 posted on 11/22/2009 12:08:57 PM PST by rlmorel (We are traveling "The Road to Serfdom".)
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To: ImJustAnotherOkie

..turned my respect for the military on its head...etc
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Yes, to have the Admiral in charge of the inquiry make that kind of statetment etc is in an essence indicting himself. He has to be part of the training mix that led to the situation.
Remember before USS Pueblo, if the Captain was ashore and the OOD screwed up bad enough to have it leave the ship, the CO could kiss his career goodbye...not exactly ‘fair’ but it sure showed who was the boss.


38 posted on 11/22/2009 12:30:58 PM PST by xrmusn ((6/98 )VOTE THE INCUMBENTS OUT)
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To: onedoug
An early example of the phrase's use is in Herman Melville's Moby Dick, published in 1851, where it says near the end "Let me square the yards, while we may, old man, and make a fair wind of it homeward." In other words, let me square the yards (add on all sail) and make a safe journey home.

"Following Seas": Defined by Bowditch's American Practical Navigator as "A sea in which the waves move in the general direction of the heading."

Cool.

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/fairwinds.htm

39 posted on 11/22/2009 3:18:58 PM PST by GOPJ (ObamaCare - slush fund scam that would make Bernie Madoff blush.)
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To: rlmorel

Poor guys. I fell asleep in the back seat and thanked God that the ICS worked when I awoke so I could wake up the pilot.


40 posted on 11/22/2009 3:23:35 PM PST by Jacquerie (It is only in the context of Natural Law that the Declaration & Constitution form a coherent whole.)
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