smstonypoint
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I have been reading about the collision of the USS Fitzgerald and a container ship off the coast of Japan: Freighter Was On Autopilot When It Hit US Destroyer.
I served in the USCG from 1965-69, and was a quartermaster aboard a 180' buoy tender from 1966-67. The buoy tender was equipped with Loran, radar, and RDF as navigation aids. When underway, the bridge was manned by the officer of the deck, a quartermaster, the helmsman, and at least two seamen serving as lookouts. The officer of the deck or the quartermaster monitored the radar. I would think a modern destroyer would have multiple radar and sonar personnel on watch while at sea.
I am having a hard time figuring how this this collision could have happened.
It is not clear which ship had the right-of-way. The container ship (Chrystal) was apparently on autopilot, but even if the destroyer had the right-of-way, it would make sense for the destroyer to take evasive action before the risk of a collision.
"The Fitzgerald is equipped with the AN/SPS-64 advanced military navigation radar, and also uses a commercial radar system to enhance the shipping traffic picture of ships in its vicinity.
Navy ships operate radar systems to detect approaching ships or submarines. Lookouts posted on the bridge are responsible for detecting ships that pose a risk of collision.
Additionally, all commercial ships over 300 tons are required under international rules to operate AIS location data. AIS information from Crystal should have been monitored by sailors on the bridge of the Fitzgerald."
Your thoughts?
Steve
I served in the USCG from 1965-69, and was a quartermaster aboard a 180' buoy tender from 1966-67. The buoy tender was equipped with Loran, radar, and RDF as navigation aids. When underway, the bridge was manned by the officer of the deck, a quartermaster, the helmsman, and at least two seamen serving as lookouts. The officer of the deck or the quartermaster monitored the radar. I would think a modern destroyer would have multiple radar and sonar personnel on watch while at sea.
I am having a hard time figuring how this this collision could have happened.
It is not clear which ship had the right-of-way. The container ship (Chrystal) was apparently on autopilot, but even if the destroyer had the right-of-way, it would make sense for the destroyer to take evasive action before the risk of a collision.
"The Fitzgerald is equipped with the AN/SPS-64 advanced military navigation radar, and also uses a commercial radar system to enhance the shipping traffic picture of ships in its vicinity.
Navy ships operate radar systems to detect approaching ships or submarines. Lookouts posted on the bridge are responsible for detecting ships that pose a risk of collision.
Additionally, all commercial ships over 300 tons are required under international rules to operate AIS location data. AIS information from Crystal should have been monitored by sailors on the bridge of the Fitzgerald."
Your thoughts?
Steve
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