Having said that, I lived in Japan for three years and studied "conversational Japanese" enough to be able to wander freely on my own. (I actually was a delegate to the annual convention of the Japan Baptist Convention at Amagi, right there on the Izu Peninsula...) Thus, I know the extreme difficulty of getting an accurate Japanese-English translation. (Example: "two 'crews'" = "2 crewmen"...??)
Of course, as yet, I have zero knowledge of what Advincula's native language might be -- so, we may be dealing with a four-or five-level translation, (incuding Rooterz') here...
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I firmly believe -- from the damage -- that your "Scissoring" planar description (both vessels turning away from impact) is precisely what happened. I also believe that the Fitzgerald heeled over to port and "slid up and over" the Crystal's bow protrusion. (H/T to you!) So, you and I, IMO, are steadily "closing the gap" re collision dynamics.
Now, I guess we can try to decipher and envision the "Three-Ship Scenario"...
Are we having fun, yet...? '-)
I can’t say it is fun (I understand the use of that phrase in this context as you meant it) due to the loss of life, and the destroyed careers (as this will undoubtedly result in) but I do admit to being completely engrossed in this because I have read about these kinds of things my entire life.
Using the USS Missouri grounding as an example, I stumbled across a book written about that, replete with in depth analysis, court transcripts, damage diagrams, and it was so fascinating that I ended up checking it out three separate times. I would buy it if I could find it.
So this engages me the same way. It fascinates me how the fusion of human behavior and technology can result in disaster, even when everything is set up to avoid it.
And I enjoy reading you analysis, and the questions and opinions put out by other Freepers. I appreciated the input on shipping lanes, because that is not something I was even taking into account, largely because I am ignorant of that and never thought to consider it.
“”I also believe that the Fitzgerald heeled over to port and “slid up and over” the Crystal’s bow protrusion””
The lack of paint scraping on the Crystal’s bulbous bow is puzzling.
1. If the bulbous bow punched a 10 or 14 foot hole below the waterline in the Fitzgerald, there should be some denting of the bulbous bow and/or paint scrapes and the photos show none.
2. If the Fitzgerald slid up and over the Crystal’s bulbous bow, there would be major paint scrapes and bare metal showing on the Crystal’s bulbous bow and the photos show none.
I am skeptical of the ACX Crystal’s accounts as well, even if I withhold judgement.
This is going to be a big money issue, and this kind of thing, getting your story out first, is a key component of a party setting the stage, knowing all people will remember is their account.
Doesn’t mean they are lying. Doesn’t mean they are wrong. But I think it should be looked at with extra care.