Collision at sea

[bodecea]

It happened at night, but i still dont understand how that could happen. I feel sorry for whoever was in command of the bridge at the time. I have a feeling the captain was asleep in his quarters when the collision occurred, so his career is probably safe.

Uh, no. He is ultimately responsible, no matter what!

A friend of mine's ship ran aground on a sand bar close to the pier in Newport , RI after a hurricane had deposited it there while the ship was at sea. No one could have possibly known it was there. His career was over the minute he ran aground. It doesn't matter what the circumstances are. The captain takes the heat.

Ive never heard of a situation where the Captain was sleeping, his ship crashed while someone else was on duty at the wheel (given the time, it probably wasnt even the XO, but rather some lowly Lt JG), and the Captain gets busted.

All the time.....his career is over.

 

[yiostheoy]

The USS Fitzgerald was under its own power but had limited propulsion after being involved in a collision with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel ACX Crystal while operating off the coast of Japan, according to the U.S. military.

US Navy warship collides with cargo ship off coast of Japan

"A collision at sea can rule your whole day" - NOT from Thucydides!

I don't know how many officers need to be asleep at the switch for a guided missile destroyer to run into a container ship.

Needless to say several officers on that warship are going to end up as a civilian in very short order.

This is all they have to do right in the USN -- boat steering. It's their only job.

 

[westwall]

The USS Fitzgerald was under its own power but had limited propulsion after being involved in a collision with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel ACX Crystal while operating off the coast of Japan, according to the U.S. military.

US Navy warship collides with cargo ship off coast of Japan

"A collision at sea can rule your whole day" - NOT from Thucydides!

That Captains career is over.

 

[yiostheoy]

I don't know anything about ships (except that I hate being on them) but doesn't a modern-day warship have some sort of radar sensing to protect against being rammed?

No sh!t dick tracy !!!

 

[yiostheoy]

Every time.

BTW, the ship is steered by enlisted personnel, usually a deck seaman at the direction of the conning officer who is usually supervised by the Officer-of-the-Deck (OOD).

XOs usually do not stand bridge watches.

I was qualified as OOD on a guided missile cruiser.

I did OOD duty on dry land as a USMC officer.

And at sea I got to go up to the bridge anytime I wanted.

Normally there is at least one USN officer on the bridge at all times.

Whoever that was, this time, plus the Captain, and probably the XO too are doomed to civilian-hood now.

Anytime you break a warship you are probably going to become a civilian, with a convenience of the Government discharge and no reserve points ever.

 

[westwall]

Here's a better picture of the damage.

7 Sailors Missing, CO Injured After Destroyer USS Fitzgerald Collided with Philippine Merchant Ship

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

The USS Fitzgerald was under its own power but had limited propulsion after being involved in a collision with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel ACX Crystal while operating off the coast of Japan, according to the U.S. military.

US Navy warship collides with cargo ship off coast of Japan

"A collision at sea can rule your whole day" - NOT from Thucydides!

I don't know how many officers need to be asleep at the switch for a guided missile destroyer to run into a container ship.

Needless to say several officers on that warship are going to end up as a civilian in very short order.

This is all they have to do right in the USN -- boat steering. It's their only job.

You don't know much about the Navy, do you?

 

[eagle1462010]

Notice Combat in the video. Multiple watches all watching the radar. Calling out contacts course and speed and position. Standard watches that are not located on the bridge. We used to call these operators OS but have no clue if they are still rated the same today. Either way.......they will play a role in this investigation. Did they call out the contacts to the OOD or did they miss one.

Back in the day there was always more than one watching the same information so what one couldn't catch the other could.

 

[eagle1462010]

Minimum of 8 people assigned to the Bridge Watch

 

[eagle1462010]

Surface Radar used on this ship. Watched in Combat by OS.............Operational Specialist.

AN/SPS-67

The Radar Set AN/SPS-67 is a short-range, two-dimensional, surface-search/navigation radar system that provides highly accurate surface and limited low-flyer detection and tracking capabilities. The AN/SPS-67 is a solid-state replacement for the AN/SPS-10 radar, using a more reliable antenna and incorporating standard electronic module technology for simpler repair and maintenance. The AN/SPS-67 provides excellent performance in rain and sea clutter, and is useful in harbor navigation, since the AN/SPS-67 is capable of detecting buoys and small obstructions without difficulty.

 

[eagle1462010]

Information on these watchstations. fyi
http://seabeemagazine.navylive.dodlive.mil/files/2014/02/Chapter-3.pdf

Another key element and a officer who's career is probably over.

CICWO
Combat Information Center Watch Officer (CICWO)

COMBAT INFORMATION CENTERWATCH OFFICER (CICWO)The officer who supervises the operation ofthe combat information center (CIC) is the CICwatch officer (CICWO). The CICWO acts as arepresentative of the CIC officer. The duties ofthe CICWO include the following:Supervising personnel on watch in CIC,ensuring air, surface, and submarinecontacts are detected and reported withinthe capabilities of the equipmentKeeping the OOD advised of recom-mended procedures for maintaining sta-tion, avoiding navigational hazards andcollisions, and speed or course changesnecessary to change or regain station

 

[Scamp]

It's possible that the Container ship rammed them on purpose...

 

[eagle1462010]

Who was the SRO...........key duties shown here.

INFORMATION SHEET

4. Surface Search Radar Operator (SRO):

a. Primary duties:

(1) Detects, tracks, and reports all surface contacts.

(2) The SRO designates contacts using proper designation procedures. Designations are confirmed and approved by the CICWO/CICWS before dissemination (eg. Skunk A, Skunk B, etc. or force NTDS/CDS track numbers will be used to designate surface contacts).

(3) Reports changes in radar performance to the CICWS.

(4) Conducts searches as specified by CICWO/CICWS.

(5) Reports low flying aircraft to weapon stations concerned.

(a) Surface search radar is effective in detection and tracking of low flying aircraft.

(6) Determines and reports contact's closest point of approach (CPA) and changes in relative movement.

(7) Reports when a risk of collision exists between any contact and when any surface contact is dangerously close with decreasing range to the ship.

(8) Assigned during all underway watch conditions.


Were you asleep on watch in CIC buddy????

 

[eagle1462010]

It's possible that the Container ship rammed them on purpose...

An Arleigh Burke Destroyer could run circles around a Merchant ship. I believe that these were high traffic areas.........I don't know the visibility............or if a low visibility detail was on watch.

The lookout and/or lookouts would see the Navigation lights of ships if visibility was normal. If not, then CIC radar and watch standers have sophisticated Radars to see any Surface Contacts......these are manned by OS ratings. Operation Specialist.

If I had to guess. It was Low visibility conditions. The OOD got no reports of contacts from CIC, and the Operational Specialist were not watching their screens...........They never reported the surface contacts and were probably playing a dang video game instead of performing their watch. Otherwise they would have reported a surface contact approaching to the CICWO and it would have been reported to the OOD to make course directions.

I think the final investigation will show that CIC, the OS's on Watch, and the SRO failed in their watch standing duties. With no surface contacts reported the Bridge Crew was relaxed until the ship plowed right into them because they had no idea they were on a collision course with another ship.

That is my guess.

 

[Scamp]

It's possible that the Container ship rammed them on purpose...

An Arleigh Burke Destroyer could run circles around a Merchant ship.

Only if it's already at a good speed. Not when it's going real slow.

 

[eagle1462010]

It's possible that the Container ship rammed them on purpose...

An Arleigh Burke Destroyer could run circles around a Merchant ship.

Only if it's already at a good speed. Not when it's going real slow.

10000 Horse power engines Gas Turbines.

GE LM2000 engines.................very powerful......

They can accelerate from dead stop to full speed very quickly........but not on a dime.

 

[Scamp]

Also, there are so many ships in that area that taking evasive maneuvers may endanger other ships.

 

[Desperado]

It happened at night, but i still dont understand how that could happen. I feel sorry for whoever was in command of the bridge at the time. I have a feeling the captain was asleep in his quarters when the collision occurred, so his career is probably safe.

Uh, no. He is ultimately responsible, no matter what!

Port or Starboard lookouts on the bridge had better given the OD a heads up. Was fog a problem, and did the OD not set a fog watch. Too many questions, to little info.

Looks outs are good but is this not the reason they have radar on board? To identify marine traffic before it becomes a problem?
There is a lot of explaining to do about this incident.

 

[depotoo]

The shippers first press release apologized for the accident. Thought that interesting.

 

[eagle1462010]

2 DDG's Drag Racing LOL