Seven US Sailors 'missing' after Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald collides with 21,000 ton cargo ship off the coast of Japan and starts taking on water

[Bigun]

Perhaps the ships rolled on impact.  That might explain why the rail is bent upward.

Looks to me that there was some pitching and rolling going on.  What was the weather like when this occured?

[NavyCanDo]

Unlike when I sailed the seven seas, Ships today do have a maritime equivalent of a black  box so what exactly happened will be known soon enough.

When did i sail with the Navy?  Not saying, but I will tell you it really did rain for 40 days and 40 nights.

[truth_seeker]

Unlike when I sailed the seven seas, Ships today do have a maritime equivalent of a black  box so what exactly happened will be known soon enough.

When did i sail with the Navy?  Not saying, but I will tell you it really did rain for 40 days and 40 nights.

Do you think the GPS part of that black box, is calibrated and timed, to be of use determining exactly what took place?

From my long ago sailing days, I recall rules, for avoiding collisions, etc. Somebody screwed up, but who?

[NavyCanDo]

Do you think the GPS part of that black box, is calibrated and timed, to be of use determining exactly what took place?

From my long ago sailing days, I recall rules, for avoiding collisions, etc. Somebody screwed up, but who?

I still have my old Blue Jackets Manual, which has a whole section on avoiding collisions. One Captain or maybe both were not following basic navigation rules. Yet this does happen in traffic and on the open sea more than you think.

[TomSea]

Some news accounts say the other ship gave a U turn, in case someone did not state that. I have read most all of the posts.

[truth_seeker]

I still have my old Blue Jackets Manual, which has a whole section on avoiding collisions. One Captain or maybe both were not following basic navigation rules. Yet this does happen in traffic and on the open sea more than you think.

Boating Rules (assuming they are also international rules, which I believe is the case)

There are rules that apply to boats on the water, just like cars on the road. It's important to learn these rules to avoid collision and maintain your safety and the safety of others on the water. This sea yarn is a fun and easy way to help you remember the rules of the road at sea.

Rules to remember when two vessels meet

 •When two power vessels are approaching head on,both vessels should alter course to starboard to pass port-side to port-side.
•When two power-driven vessels are in crossing situation on a collision course, give way to the vessel to starboard (right).The give way vessel must take early and obvious action to avoid a collision by either stopping or altering course to starboard.
•If the give way vessel has another power-driven vessel from the Port (left) which does not take obvious action to give way, or alter course to starboard, then the Skipper of give-way (stand on) vessel must take evasive action by either stopping, or again, altering course to starboard.
•Every vessel (power or sail) that is overtaking must keep well clear of the over taking vessel. You are overtaking if you are approaching another vessel anywhere in a 135 degree sector at its stern.
Channels and harbours

 •All vessels must keep to the starboard (right) side of any channel.
•Inside a harbour (normally shown on the pilotage limit on the chart) you must keep out of the way of any ship over 500 tons. (which is about 50 metres in length)
•Do not create a wake which causes unnecessary danger to other vessels or people.
•You must not anchor in a channel.
•All small craft must keep out of the way of larger vessels which are restricted by their draft to maintain passage and steering within the channel.

When power meets power
•You must give way to another vessel on your starboard. (right)
•If you meet head on, both vessels must turn to starboard. (right)

https://maritime.college/Boating-Rules.php

[Right_in_Virginia]

 

USS Fitzgerald Collision Update (10:33am JST June 18, 2017)
By U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs | June 17, 2017

YOKOSUKA, Japan -- A number of Sailors that were missing from the collision between USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and a merchant ship have been found. As search and rescue crews gained access to the spaces that were damaged during the collision this morning, the missing Sailors were located in the flooded berthing compartments. They are currently being transferred to Naval Hospital Yokosuka where they will be identified. The families are being notified and being provided the support they need during this difficult time. The names of the Sailors will be released after all notifications are made.

http://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/1217825/uss-fitzgerald-collision-update-1033am-jst-june-18-2017/#.WUXZvwAnLVQ.facebook

[Idiot]

Oh dang....how sad.  Lord please comfort the families....

[Smokin Joe]

Thank you for that grim update. When I heard there were flooded compartments, I suspected as much.

[SZonian]

  RIP, prayers and condolences to the families, loved ones and friends of these sailors.

[Smokin Joe]

  RIP, prayers and condolences to the families, loved ones and friends of these sailors.

Absolutely 

[mystery-ak]

http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Bodies-of-USS-Fitzgerald-sailors-found-in-ships-flooded-compartments-497146
Bodies of USS Fitzgerald sailors found in ship's flooded compartments

[andy58-in-nh]

There will in due course be an investigation into the cause of this event, during which the question of intentionality will undoubtedly be explored.

We have no idea at this point what actually occurred, or why. It may well have been a tragic accident occasioned by a breakdown in ship-to-ship communication and/or maritime procedure in a busy shipping lane.

The answer will be instructive, regardless. Prayers for our lost sailors.

[Rivergirl]

And sadly, we will have a well crafted story on the cause of this collision and we will never get to the truth.

[NavyCanDo]

http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Bodies-of-USS-Fitzgerald-sailors-found-in-ships-flooded-compartments-497146
Bodies of USS Fitzgerald sailors found in ship's flooded compartments

What a sad update. When it was first reported they were found, it was assumed it was better news.

[bigheadfred]

Looks to me that there was some pitching and rolling going on.  What was the weather like when this occured?

I thought I read calm seas, calm skies. looking...

It’s unclear what caused the collision, which occurred about 2:20 a.m. local time, between the destroyer and the container ship that is about four times its size. Conditions at the time were clear, though the area — about 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka — is often busy with sea traffic.

[truth_seeker]

And sadly, we will have a well crafted story on the cause of this collision and we will never get to the truth.

[rangerrebew]

Not much. Couple of feet, maybe.

I looked up the details for the ship type - Maersk E class container vessel - and it's just under 50 feet from the deck to the sea, fully laden.

The more I look at the damage to the container ship, the wronger it looks, but I can't pin down why. I'm used to looking at damage from a couple hundred feet up, too, so it's not the angle.

I don't see any damage to the Fitz. below the water line so the only way to have flooded the compartments would be if the freighter was making a speed turn to starboard, as if to miss the destroyer, and actually tipped the Fitz. so severly the exposed deck went under water for a brief time.  Since the freighter's damage was port and the Fitz. starboard, the freighter must have hit from behind in the turn.  By the time they disengaged, the compartments would have been completely flooded.  The damage to the freighter could be accounted for if when it hit it was already listing severely due to the turn and caught the bridge underneath and bent .

[DB]

I don't see any damage to the Fitz. below the water line so the only way to have flooded the compartments would be if the freighter was making a speed turn to starboard, as if to miss the destroyer, and actually tipped the Fitz. so severly the exposed deck went under water for a brief time.  Since the freighter's damage was port and the Fitz. starboard, the freighter must have hit from behind in the turn.  By the time they disengaged, the compartments would have been completely flooded.  The damage to the freighter could be accounted for if when it hit it was already listing severely due to the turn and caught the bridge underneath and bent .

I don't know what it's called but large ships like container ships often have a large bulb shaped structure under the water line at the bow of the ship. That may have penetrated the destroyer below the water line without it being very visible. In addition the destroyer has taken on a lot water and is riding lower than it otherwise would.