USS Fitzgerald Collision (and another: USS McCain)

[qsy]

Everyone remembers the US Navy sub that hit the fishing boat? There was certain ineptitude to that collision as well. Human error happens.

The commander of that sub, Scott Waddle, does motivational speaking. Heard him at a safety stand-down 7 or 8 years ago. Interesting guy...he's made a career out of an incident that ended his career.

[ABNAK]

The commander of that sub, Scott Waddle, does motivational speaking. Heard him at a safety stand-down 7 or 8 years ago. Interesting guy...he's made a career out of an incident that ended his career.

Now that's irony!

[lowprone]

Aside from individual commanding officers personal orders concerning vessels of any size within XYZ yards ect, ect,
does the Navy not consider every vessel not flying the national standard a possible enemy ?
One would think the Cole attack would of settled that !

[chuckman]

The commander of that sub, Scott Waddle, does motivational speaking. Heard him at a safety stand-down 7 or 8 years ago. Interesting guy...he's made a career out of an incident that ended his career.

He lives local, heard him speak at a church about 12, maybe 13 years ago.

It's not his story he's selling, but rather a lecture on the responsibility of command.

[SeriousStudent]

At least the families know the fate of their loved ones. That removes uncertainty, which is some consolation.

Fair winds and following seas.

By request, the choir at church today sang "Eternal Father."

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Some us sang the lyrics from memory.

[qsy]

He lives local, heard him speak at a church about 12, maybe 13 years ago.

It's not his story he's selling, but rather a lecture on the responsibility of command.

It's an excellent presentation. I didn't intend to criticize, just an example of "when life gives you lemons...make lemonade."

[ABNAK]

Aside from individual commanding officers personal orders concerning vessels of any size within XYZ yards ect, ect,
does the Navy not consider every vessel not flying the national standard a possible enemy ?
One would think the Cole attack would of settled that !

Not even that, but a vessel about to collide with you by accident is as dangerous as an enemy vessel in combat!

Sadly, the military is a high-risk occupation, war or not. Sure, more die in combat, but "peacetime" activities churn up casualties you don't see in the civilian workplace.

[SteveS]

It would seem to be a boost to the moral of any enemy of the U.S. like when the Iranians captured the navy boat a while ago. embarrassing to say the least. But then what is the whole story?

[Moose-Knuckle]

Heard a radio spot that the Japanese Coast Guard stated that the merchant vessel made a sharp turn that suddenly changed their course into the USN ship.

Early still in the investigation but sounds as if the container ship maybe at fault here.

[Averageman]

Sadly, the military is a high-risk occupation, war or not. Sure, more die in combat, but "peacetime" activities churn up casualties you don't see in the civilian workplace.

If there is a lesson to be learned from this, this might be it.
Complacency, a lack of understanding safety issues and a desire to meet goals regardless of the circumstances are killers.