A US Navy destroyer has collided with a merchant vessel close to Japan.
The collision involving the USS Fitzgerald happened 56 nautical miles south-west of Yokosuka around 2:30am local time (18:30 BST) on Saturday. The extent of injuries and damage is being determined, the US Navy said.
The Navy has requested help from the Japanese Coast Guard. Japan's public broadcaster, NHK, reported that the US ship was said to be listing and help was being sent.
NHK said the coastguard's patrol ships and planes have been dispatched to the area.
There's a few careers down the pan.
So how the hell do you collide with a merchant ship when you're fifty miles out to sea? Surely there's enough room out there that you'd never have to come anywhere near another ship? Or was this some crowded sea lane with ships all over the place?
Re: US Navy ship in collision
Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 12:42 am
by Graham Kennedy
Reports say seven crewmembers are missing.
Re: US Navy ship in collision
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 4:55 pm
by IanKennedy
I can only assume they went overboard when it hit, as there doesn't seem to be a hole in the side of the ship.
Re: US Navy ship in collision
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 6:03 pm
by Captain Seafort
IanKennedy wrote:I can only assume they went overboard when it hit, as there doesn't seem to be a hole in the side of the ship.
So evidently the merchant ship made some odd maneuvers, but since the US Navy ship had it's AIS tracking system off no collision warnings would have sounded. Also, the images do show a lot of traffic in the area. Presumably the unexpected turn of the merchant vessel and the sheer number of ships to track confused the bridge crew on USS Fitzgerald.
Re: US Navy ship in collision
Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2017 2:31 am
by Coalition
When you have the faster/more agile ship, let the other guy cross first. Basic rule for boats
Similarly, if you are going to cross the path of a cargo ship, cross the rear of the cargo ship's path, not the front.
What they could have done is travel astern of the cargo ship, using it as a 'plow' to make sure nobody got in front of them
Still, sad loss for the families of the seven
Re: US Navy ship in collision
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 10:12 pm
by Captain Picard's Hair
For some reason this brought to mind sea captain training, Naked Gun style
