Unlike you, my opinion is informed by years at sea with the US Navy. And it’s echoed by most, if not all sailors on this forum.
“Even a fool knows this DDG saw the freighter coming and was capable of avoiding her.”
Is absolutely correct.
“Even a fool knows this DDG saw the freighter coming and was capable of avoiding her.”
I agree with the second part of your statement, but the first I have a problem with. “We” don’t know anything about what the destroyer saw. “We” know the equipment on board was capable of “seeing” the approaching containership, but “we” have no evidence of such so “we” can only ass u me.
I appreciate your opinion bases on experience, but it is only that, an opinion. Bring proof.
I know zip about modern navy operations and would appreciate the benefit of your experience on a serious question. Even with sophisticated radars and electronic systems, do USN surface vessels still have human beings equipped with binoculars and/or night vision devices, literally “on watch” 24/7?
“Even a fool knows this DDG saw the freighter coming and was capable of avoiding her.”
Is absolutely correct.
As a former lead navigator, QM2, on a WWII destroyer, USS Ault, DD698, I agree. There is no way this could happen except by a complete screw-up by the Fitzgerald crew on watch at the time.