[marktwain]

How could such a collision take place in the 21st century, an age of sophisticated radar, satellite intelligence, global positioning systems, etc.?

---

Extremely busy sea lane with hundreds of contacts to keep track of, and one of the contacts masked by another or approaching on a radial that makes it hard to obtain a good fix on it.

Do enough complicated stuff long enough, and extremely rare things will happen.

[Quality_Not_Quantity]

Do enough complicated stuff long enough, and extremely rare things will happen.

Well said. In my business, we say that if you can imagine 'x' happening under any circumstances, then you must mitigate.

[artichokegrower]

It has happened before;

The Most Intense Bridge Conversation EVER – USS Porter Collides With Supertanker

On August 12, 2012, the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Porter collided with a Mitsui OSK Lines’ supertanker M/T Otowasan near the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. The collision tore a 3 by 3 meter (9.8 ft — 9.8 ft) hole in the starboard side of the destroyer, forcing it to Jebel Ali, Dubai for repairs. No one was injured however.

The ship’s captain, Cmdr. Martin Arriola, was subsequently relieved of command and replaced by Cmdr. Dave Richardson. On 12 October 2012, the Porter rejoined Carrier Strike Group Twelve for its transit through the Suez Canal following extensive repairs to the ship.

http://gcaptain.com/intense-bridge-conversation-porter/