[aumrl]

I assumed the first 90* change of course was where the collision occurred.
Then the almost 180* change was to assist rescue.
When other shipping arrived Crystal resumed track to Tokyo.
Lots of speculation.
I haven’t seen Fitzgerald’s course.
Had she lost power?
ETC
Port ship gives way...
Did Crystal slow before impact? Or is damage sustained by Fitzgerald consistent with cruising knottage?

[silverleaf]

Not if they were on a roughly parallel course ( after the contained ships sharp turn inland) and the Crystal,was overtaking the ither vessel,

[doorgunner69]

Your reading of the AIS track is much the same as mine. From the time ticks, it looks like the Crystal was cruising at around 17 knots prior to the collision.

I am enjoying the wild interpretations of the track here.

[UCANSEE2]

I assumed the first 90* change of course was where the collision occurred.

And you would be completely wrong. The container ship made 2 turns, then looped completely back and headed straight into the Navy ship.