Posted on 06/18/2017 8:51:55 PM PDT by Rabin
YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA PREF. – The mother of a U.S. Navy sailor who survived. Brayden Harden, was knocked out of his bunk by the impact, water immediately began filling the berth. Sykes says her son told her that four men in his berth, including those sleeping on bunks above and below him, died, while three died in the berth above his. Her son kept diving to try to save his shipmates until the flooded berth began running out of air pockets, while others — believing the ship was under attack — hurried to man the guns.
The ships collided about 2:20 a.m. ACX Crystal weighs 29,060 tons, much larger than the 8,315-ton guided missile destroyer USS Fitzge. The damage to the destroyer suggests that Crystal, may have slammed into it at a high speed... Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a sympathy message to President Donald Trump on Sunday. “We are struck by deep sorrow,” Abe said in the message. “I express my heartfelt solidarity to America at this difficult time.”
(Excerpt) Read more at japantimes.co.jp ...
Raben
Wouldn’t a high speed impact amidships from a fully loaded container ship have rolled over the US ship? I think the damage photos I’ve seen suggest a low speed impact.
The whole thing is very fishy. No radar on them US ship?
I think they were almost on parallel courses and when the autopilot of the container ship made a pre-programed 20 degree turn narrowing the separation distance, the radar saw them at the same bearing until it was too late to avoid a side-swipe rather than a t-bone.
“I think they were almost on parallel courses and when the autopilot of the container ship made a pre-programed 20 degree turn narrowing the separation distance, the radar saw them at the same bearing until it was too late to avoid a side-swipe rather than a T-bone”.
You have the best explanation I’ve seen.
RIP
Tragic.
Would a large container ship like that be on some kind of autopilot in busy sea lanes?
Previous reports state the cargo ship was on an erratic course that included making a sharp turn towards the navy ship.
wasn’t a T-bone it was a side-swipe and based on local reporting here in Japan (arrived yesterday) it appears the merchant was overtaking the destroyer and should have steered clear as the give way vessel.
Also latest indicates CO was in his bunk and lucky to have lived as his quarters were directly impacted. Not sure why the OOD didn’t call him to the bridge...if that is truly the case.
Meeting a buddy working on the base at the end of the week may get more scuttle-butt then.
Prayers to the families of those lost and always prayers for those in peril on the seas.
No the erratic changes were after the impact. Impact actually occurred at 1:30 local not 2:30 as originally reported.
The changes make more sense in that light as at 1:30 the course slows, turns immediate south, then east, uturn west back to the area (likely to render aid if needed as required by maritime law), then (likely ordered off) heads north east.
Yes most are these days - minimal manning on those big boys.
Agree as well - based on what I’m hearing/reading locally
Enemy islamism until demonstrated otherwise.
A side swipe can turn into a t-bone. Large ships moving fast close together can experience a suction that pulls them closer, and then a sort of “PIT Maneuver” develops turning into a t-bone.
Look at 7:45
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98FQS-tcLPE
I have not heard how on Earth a Destroyer could be snuck up on. That is the big question.
I would expect an “all hands on deck” before another ship got close enough to collide.
My theory: The captain of the Crystal deliberately rammed our destroyer.
The Fitz’s ECDIS NAV alarms must have been blaring on the bridge and CIC as soon as both ships’ moving havens intersected. Supposedly, that gives you plenty of time to execute collision avoidance regardless of the other vessel’s maneuvers.
But then, remember when GPS was going to solve everything?
Strange that we have not heard by now anything about who was manning the cargo ship. Nobody on board was hurt so you’d think an interview would have been sought out, or at least some kind of identification. But I guess during initial investigation that’s perhaps not allowed.
This investigation is going to take a long time to sort out. It is totally understandable that people who were witness to it are keeping their mouths shut. Human error will have undoubtedly been a factor and everyone needs to make sure their stories are straight, particularly with the likelihood that people may go to prison as a result of this.
The crew was Filipino. This doesn't necessarily mean all of them or the Captain was. Authorities may not even know who exactly was on the bridge at the moment of collision.
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