Why a destroyer at sea could not see they were on a collision course with something a big as a container ship is the question? Pilot error, i.e. Captain’s fault.
That’s what I’m saying. Somebody will facing a board of inquiry and courts martial before it’s all said and done.
“Why a destroyer at sea could not see they were on a collision course with something a big as a container ship is the question? Pilot error, i.e. Captain’s fault.
They were not at sea. They were in a narrow harbor entrance with islands and land near by that could blind the RADAR. I wonder if either one or the other ships was under the control of a harbor pilot? This wouldn’t happen in the open sea the destroyer could accelerate and turn away. In a harbor there are speed limits and specified travel lanes to prevent this. One of the ships was in the wrong lane.
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.
Without knowing all the details, my guess is that the OOD on the destroyer lost the big picture and delayed calling the Captain to the bridge until it was to late to avoid the collision. JMO.