[Freeport]

The US Navy currently does not use lookouts anymore. They rely on their electronic systems. This policy has been in place for about 10 years.

The navy folks I work with all shake their heads over it.

[Maine Mariner]

Your Navy folks are right to shake their heads.
The regulations for avoiding collisions at sea require that a proper lookout(s) be maintained at all times. Relying solely on electronics is simply bad seamanship.

[central_va]

I am sure when transiting the straights of Malacca, the most heavily trafficked sea lane in the world, there are lookouts stationed. I could be wrong.

[Presbyterian Reporter]

“””The US Navy currently does not use lookouts anymore. They rely on their electronic systems. This policy has been in place for about 10 years.”””

This is NEW news. In all of the countless FR postings and media reports on the Fitzgerald collision there were many, many, many reports that a person stood watch on the aft and the forward of a destroyer. Are you saying everyone is wrong and that no one is on watch forward and aft?

[Petrosius]

The US Navy currently does not use lookouts anymore.The US Navy currently does not use lookouts anymore.

You have to be kidding! Who thought that this would be a good idea? COLREGs Rule 5:

Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.

[TXnMA]

"The US Navy currently does not use lookouts anymore. They rely on their electronic systems. This policy has been in place for about 10 years. "

~~~~~~~~

Freeport, that would explan a lot! This is the first time I've heard that! Do you have any citation to to that effect? Thanks!

Starting with the Fitzgerald, the rest of us have been operating under the assumption that both vessels had a standard complement of "Mark One Eyeballs" on lookout.

~~~~~~~~~~

Any FReepers with sea experience in the last decade who can further enlighten us on this "no lookouts" subject?

[Semper911]

The US Navy currently does not use lookouts anymore.

Well there you have it.

I did not know that, but it explains a lot.

I bet the navy will soon develop a new-found respect for a live seaman on the bow.

[Semper911]

The US Navy currently does not use lookouts anymore.

I just did a little searching, and I think this is bullshit. Please state your sources.

NavRules are NavRules.

[Triple]

Really??? I think for a small consulting fee, I can ‘fix’ the collision problem. :-)