Posted on 06/17/2017 6:59:03 AM PDT by rktman
Yesterday’s news, aside from the usual Trump obstructing, colluding, and making money on his investments, included a ship collision. As described by ABC, a “Navy destroyer collides with container ship off coast of Japan.” NBC had a similar headline, “Navy destroyer collides with ship off Japan.”
Fox News worded their headline a little differently, “US Navy involved in collision.” As did CNN saying, “Navy destroyer collision off Japan.”
It was a terrible accident as US sailors are missing and potentially injured or worse, but my point is regarding the choice of words describing what happened.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
I’m interested to see more information on this but I can’t imagine a situation in which the Navy crew was not at fault. How could this happen otherwise? Naval ships have the latest in radar technology and are supposed to maintain strict deck watches 24/7 while at sea (and even in port for that matter). I find it incredible that a large freighter would be able to ram a Navy destroyer. Somebody really screwed up.
Actually, this is pretty much outside the realm of possibilities.
Crashing an airliner into the ocean and intentionally targeting and ramming a navy destroyer in the dead of night are about as far apart as you can get.
A lifesaving non combat medal. Even daddy couldn't get the Navy to do more than that. Unlike L. Ron Hubbard though he got another boat after screwing up.
Initial reports said the Fitzgerald was not moving when it was t- boned
Given they were in a harbor entrance one or both ships could have been under control of a harbor pilot?
Surely even you recognize the nonstarter argument of having your vessel rammed during combat vs being t- boned by a cargo ship
Or waiting for a timed entry into the harbor
The cargo vessel should have been the vessel with a harbor pilot
If both were at a harbor entrance or entry anchorage area
“They were in a narrow harbor entrance with islands and land near by that could blind the RADAR.”
For sure! I live in the mountains and every once in a while someone drives up my 1/2 mile gravel driveway while their GPS is telling them that they’re on US19.
Surely even you recognize that there was no excuse for JFK putting his ship in a position to get run over in the first place... by a destroyer, no less. And don't call me "Shirley."
Based on the pictures it looks like the DDG wasn’t making way when the fighter hit her side. It looks like the DDG was punched because there is no dragging type damage.
fighter=freighter
In wartime shit happens
In peacetime shit happens
Dont make it the same
“Initial reports said the Fitzgerald was not moving when it was t- boned”
That’s apparent from the pictures. There is a very narrow area of damage in the middle of the ship. No evidence of scraping as would occur if the ship were moving.
How this happened will be a very interesting story.
Guiding a container ship at close quarters is like guiding an island. You can’t do much quickly about your direction or speed. If the destroyer crossed the container it is the destroyer’s fault. The container ship, being far less maneuverable has the right of way. The intentions of the Container ship captain or pilot are irrelevant,
I said the same regarding Muslims. The container ship was from the Philippines so certainly not out if realm of possibility.
Maybe Fitzgerald could not move.
https://mobile.twitter.com/StratSentinel/status/875846541726150656
Commentary i am reading ( some from commercial vessel operators) suggest the Fitz may tried to cross in “ front of the train” - however a container ship this large takes over half an hour and many miles to even slow down - particularly if their crew was not willing to cede their right of way
Damage looks like container ship hit a crushing bump to the Fitz near midship but most have already been slowed and swerving away- if going full on it would kept going right over top of the Fitzgerald and cut her in half or sunk her
How does it work?
Hate to pop your bubble but from what I know of “Rules of the Road,†and CBDR - Constant Bearing Decreasing Range - and observing the location of damage on both vessels it appears the ships were in a “crossing†situation. That means the navy ship was the “give way†ship and the cargo ship was the “stand on†vessel. The stand on is required to hold course and speed, the give way is required to get out of the way. Turn left and slow speed. This will increase range and the bearing will be drifting right. There’s more but that should help everyone understand what might have happened. Having sailed/ raced sailboats all my life, and served in the submarine force for 23 years I have a basic knowledge of the rules. I also have some personal knowledge of maritime accidents — my brother lost his life in the collision of the USCG Blackthorn in Tampa Bay about thirty years ago. The Blackthorn was at fault. I hope I’m wrong in the situation.
Captain will get the CM. (S)He was in the rack. I wonder what the gender of the watch officer is.
One guy up in a crows-nest with a pair of binoculars? Really?
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