A Question for Sailors

3930dave · Aug 19, 2017

Part way through this, I was thinking "Bringing a knife to a gunfight....."

How hackers are targeting the shipping industry - BBC News

Upon reflection, that might be overestimating how the commercial-shipping industry has armed themselves....

Rgds, D.

turnkey4099 · Aug 20, 2017

Saw an article in the paper the other day. The Captain and Exec were both relieved of command. Rather odd that the powers that be waited so long to do it.

smstonypoint · Aug 20, 2017

turnkey4099 said:
Saw an article in the paper the other day. The Captain and Exec were both relieved of command. Rather odd that the powers that be waited so long to do it.

The recent reports that I have seen have dealt with the aftermath of the collision and don't have much detail on how the collision occurred. Here's some info from one report: (USS Fitzgerald's leadership removed from their duties over June collision - CNNPolitics)

The Fitzgerald's commanding officer, Cdr. Bryce Benson, and the executive officer, Cdr. Sean Babbiit, were both sleeping, and the master chief petty officer, Brice Baldwin, were not on the bridge at the time of the collision, according to the Navy.

<snip>

"The collision was avoidable and both ships demonstrated poor seamanship. Within Fitzgerald, flawed watch stander teamwork and inadequate leadership contributed to the collision that claimed the lives of seven Fitzgerald sailors, injured injured three more, and damaged both ships," the 7th Fleet said in a statement.

I am especially interested in details as to why/how the collision occurred.

Steve

RoyJackson · Aug 20, 2017

smstonypoint said:
The recent reports that I have seen have dealt with the aftermath of the collision and don't have much detail on how the collision occurred. Here's some info from one report: (USS Fitzgerald's leadership removed from their duties over June collision - CNNPolitics)

I am especially interested in details as to why/how the collision occurred.

Steve

I'm quite curious who was in charge on the bridge. Although I'm surprised the MCPO wasn't, he may have had to deal with an issue elsewhere on the ship.

At least in my day (1969-1978 active duty), there was always an Officer of the Watch. However, this may differ on a smaller ship.

3930dave · Aug 20, 2017

smstonypoint said:
I am especially interested in details as to why/how the collision occurred.

Steve

When a BC Ferry hit a very large island and sank in the middle of the night a few years ago, it wasn't until a court proceeding happened that many of the details became public.

Given that a military vessel was involved, the critical-cause information may be delayed for quite a while/indefinitely.

Rgds, D.

smstonypoint · Aug 20, 2017

RoyJackson said:
I'm quite curious who was in charge on the bridge. Although I'm surprised the MCPO wasn't, he may have had to deal with an issue elsewhere on the ship.

At least in my day (1969-1978 active duty), there was always an Officer of the Watch. However, this may differ on a smaller ship.

I was on an even smaller ship, a 180 ft. Coast Guard buoy tender, from 1967-68. The officers consisted of the CO (a Lt. Commander), the XO (a Lieutenant), two junior officers (usually a lieutenant junior grade and an ensign), and a Warrant Officer. An officer was always on the bridge when underway.

Steve

k0ua · Aug 20, 2017

So no officer on the bridge at all, and who the heck was left manning the helm was goofing off too. A real black eye for the Navy. The merchant ship you can kind of have low expectations for competency. But a warship?, not to mention a US Navy warship, well, they should have done better. We may never know what "really" happened and the why.