Another U.S. Navy destroyer collides with a merchant ship, rescue efforts underway

[khail007]

Are these series of accidents at sea are human errors or technological?

 

[RISING SUN]

AIS trace of tanker in US warship collision in Singapore Strait
An AIS track of the tanker involved in the collision with the US warship USS John S. McCain shows it taking the expected course to enter the Singapore Strait.

An animation of the AIS track posted by Vessel Finder, which can be viewed below, shows the product tanker Alnic MC approaching and entering the westbound lane of the traffic separation scheme in the Singapore Strait.

The tanker makes a sudden to port at what would appear to be the point of collision with the US destroyer. The AIS traces of military vessels such as the USS John. S McCain are not publicly available.

Ten sailors from the US warship were missing following the collision. US Navy said the remains of some of the missing were found on Tuesday by divers working on recovery on the USS John S. McCain.

Meanwhile reports said the US Navy was set to relieve 7th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin of duty.


Posted 23 August 2017
http://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ne...atrade+Maritime+Daily+News&utm_campaign=97448

 

[Nan Yang]

AIS trace of tanker in US warship collision in Singapore Strait
An AIS track of the tanker involved in the collision with the US warship USS John S. McCain shows it taking the expected course to enter the Singapore Strait.

An animation of the AIS track posted by Vessel Finder, which can be viewed below, shows the product tanker Alnic MC approaching and entering the westbound lane of the traffic separation scheme in the Singapore Strait.

The tanker makes a sudden to port at what would appear to be the point of collision with the US destroyer. The AIS traces of military vessels such as the USS John. S McCain are not publicly available.

Ten sailors from the US warship were missing following the collision. US Navy said the remains of some of the missing were found on Tuesday by divers working on recovery on the USS John S. McCain.

Meanwhile reports said the US Navy was set to relieve 7th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin of duty.


Posted 23 August 2017
http://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ne...atrade+Maritime+Daily+News&utm_campaign=97448

Gosh. I am not an expert on collision but even I can figure out that since the tanker hit the US destroyer on the port, the impact forces the tanker to turn towards the port.

 

[Jungibaaz]

Sad to hear about another incident, but now's the time for the US and Mr Trump to strongly condemn Pakistan's double game on the high seas, they're harbouring merchant vessels and oil tankers that keep taking out destroyers.

A strong condemnation might also help ease the nerves of the dehati aurat to the east and it would help our neighbours to reach another orgasm off the high of the first speech.

 

[asia2000]

 

[j20blackdragon]

Even a basic civilian radar could have prevented this disaster. What excuse does the US Navy have? I thought the Aegis system could track several hundred targets at once, but can't track an oil tanker?

A marine radar lets you set an invisible guard zone around your boat at a set distance. Any object picked up inside it will sound an alarm to announce its presence. A radar’s electronic bearing line (ELB) and variable range marker (VRM) can help you keep tabs on a nearby vessel. ELB provides relative bearing to a target. VRM determines its exact distance. Tip: Line up the ELB on a target headed toward you. Should it keep crawling down the ELB line toward the center of the screen, you need to take evasive action.

http://www.boatingmag.com/gear/collision-avoidance-tools

Regarding right of way...

If the give way vessel does not appear to be giving way, the stand on vessel must take evasive action and should turn to starboard (right).

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

The USS John S. McCain is clearly the faster, more agile vessel. When it became obvious that the Alnic MC (the give way vessel) was not altering course, why not just take evasive action?

Also, why are there reports that the USS John S. McCain experienced a sudden loss of steering?

"The McCain suffered a steering failure as the warship was beginning its approach into the Strait of Malacca, causing it to collide with a commercial tanker, a Navy official told CNN.The official said it was unclear why the crew couldn't use the ship's backup steering systems to maintain control. Earlier, another US Navy official told CNN there were indications the destroyer experienced a loss of steering right before the collision, but steering had been regained afterward."

http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...in-sailors-as-reports-of-steering-loss-emerge

 

[AndrewJin]

Even a basic civilian radar could have prevented this disaster. What excuse does the US Navy have? I thought the Aegis system could track several hundred targets at once, but can't track an oil tanker?

A marine radar lets you set an invisible guard zone around your boat at a set distance. Any object picked up inside it will sound an alarm to announce its presence. A radar’s electronic bearing line (ELB) and variable range marker (VRM) can help you keep tabs on a nearby vessel. ELB provides relative bearing to a target. VRM determines its exact distance. Tip: Line up the ELB on a target headed toward you. Should it keep crawling down the ELB line toward the center of the screen, you need to take evasive action.

http://www.boatingmag.com/gear/collision-avoidance-tools

Regarding right of way...

If the give way vessel does not appear to be giving way, the stand on vessel must take evasive action and should turn to starboard (right).

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

The USS John S. McCain is clearly the faster, more agile vessel. When it became obvious that the Alnic MC (the give way vessel) was not altering course, why not just take evasive action?

Also, why are there reports that the USS John S. McCain experienced a sudden loss of steering?

"The McCain suffered a steering failure as the warship was beginning its approach into the Strait of Malacca, causing it to collide with a commercial tanker, a Navy official told CNN.The official said it was unclear why the crew couldn't use the ship's backup steering systems to maintain control. Earlier, another US Navy official told CNN there were indications the destroyer experienced a loss of steering right before the collision, but steering had been regained afterward."

http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...in-sailors-as-reports-of-steering-loss-emerge

RSS Supa Powa style

 

[Beast]

Are these series of accidents at sea are human errors or technological?

They are not meant to happen. Modern warship has multiple backup system and not to mention fool proof procedure to ensure such collisions are not possible. Unless the sailors or captain are not following procedure. This shows a lack of professionalism in USN.