Hith Does This Happen?!

BilgeRat said:

Another aspect to this that I didn't think about.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/...ain-oil-tanker.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur

Click to expand...

This quote kind of cements the fact that the collision rests squarely on the US Navy. It's a Navy warship for heaven's sake. The sailors need to be on the ball 24/7. Thanks for the link, BilgeRat!

"...Aboard the John S. McCain, “you’ve got power and maneuverability — if you want to get out of the way, you can do it pretty quickly,” said Arthur Bowring, who retired in November after 20 years as managing director of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association."

The Commander of the 7th Fleet was relieved of duty two days ago. All four of the incidents that occurred in the area since January of this year were under his chain of command.

1) USS Antietam, a guided missile cruiser, runs aground off the coast of Japan
2) USS Lake Champlain, a guided missile cruiser, gets hit by a fishing vessel
3) USS Fitzgerald, a guided missile destroyer, gets hit by a container ship, 7 dead
4) USS John S McCain, a guided missile destroyer, gets hit by a tanker, 10 dead

http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/22/politics/uss-mccain-7th-fleet-commander-dismissal/index.html

That's a ridiculous number of catastrophes. A disaster in loss of lives, an incredible financial loss, and a critical loss of operational capabilities in that area. This is a systemic failure that needs a serious correction. The already overworked crews and ships are now going to be stretched even thinner.

The CNN article is a fairly good overall view of what's been happening. It has details of the McCain collision, and a brief analysis of the entire series of events.

NSTG8R said:

"...Aboard the John S. McCain, “you’ve got power and maneuverability — if you want to get out of the way, you can do it pretty quickly,” said Arthur Bowring, who retired in November after 20 years as managing director of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association."

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Uh huh. Four LM 2500 gas turbines for propulsion, 100,000 shaft horsepower. And it can go from 0 to 100,000 almost instantly.

The Navy has been under a lot of pressure lately. They are being put in situations where mishaps and mayhem become not only a possibility, but a probability. Under normal conditions, US warships will steer clear of busy shipping lanes. But as of January 21st, US Naval operations have been moved to include destroyer patrols of merchant shipping lanes.

Obviously, this was a bad idea. The CNO has announced that they will investigate and likely make modifications in the ops areas of Naval warships.

Another $0.02 worth.

http://dailysignal.com/2017/09/05/navy-sea-collisions-heres-happening-done/

My naval service in the Pacific submarine fleet ended in 1993, so my experience with conditions in the current Navy are somewhat dated. I've read several articles lately regarding the events, and analyses of why it may have occurred. I can definitely sympathize with some of the observations such as operational pacing, being short handed, and the rate of qualifications. The fleet has been shrinking, and ships forced to longer and more frequent deployments. It is and exhausting and highly demanding occupation. No one wants to admit that they are too tired to stand watch, and force one of their just-as-tired shipmate to stand their watch, too.

No one retires young from the Navy. You may only be 38 years old, but it ages you beyond your years.

Just going to leave this here:

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/bla...medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark

Evidently, progress is going back to basics, and doing something about sleep deprivation. Gee, what a surprise.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/27/...onal-standards.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur

Marine sleep deprivation.
https://flic.kr/p/3B9gmF
https://flic.kr/p/3B9gUF

BilgeRat said:

Evidently, progress is going back to basics, and doing something about sleep deprivation. Gee, what a surprise.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/27/...onal-standards.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur

Marine sleep deprivation.
https://flic.kr/p/3B9gmF
https://flic.kr/p/3B9gUF

Click to expand...

I was an inspector on the I-40 (1964). After a continuous pour of several hours, I went to sleep standing up in front of the asphalt laying machine. People yelled at me to get me to move. Sleep deprivation exists.

Frim, with a serious lack of sleep, I go seriously stupid before I eventually pass out for 12 hours...