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[QUOTE=Kenswing;1469955]Leaving out conspiracy theories such as the Chinese hacking our navigation systems.. I think there are several issues to consider. Morale, fatigue, discipline and training just to name the biggies.

We have been at war almost constantly since 9/11. Ships are sent out on more frequent and longer deployments. It's hard to keep your edge and focus if you're always on alert. This can lead to fatigue which will lead to low morale. If the commanders can't find a way to keep sailors motivated and engaged then accidents happen.

After 7 years at sea, in the Merchant Marine. On any large ship at sea, there is at least one and maybe two officers in charge, one or two persons reading the radar at two different ranges, far and near, there is a person on the wheel and another on standby. With all the liberal commands from our former NOn commander in chief, we now have the LGBT and others who should not be on a ship. Suggestion, get some retired US Merchant Marine Captains and First Mates, and put them in charge of training for the Navy for two years, problems will be solved.
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[Carl in Tampa]

These mishaps bring to my mind the movie The Enemy Below, with Robert Mitchum as the Captain of a WWII Destroyer in the South Atlantic.

The movie was filmed on board an actual Destroyer, and depth charges were actually fired as a part of the movie action.

What I found interesting was the purported agility of the Destroyer as it pursued a German submarine. The Captain of the Destroyer calculated the amount of time after the submarine they were pursuing submerged before he could expect incoming torpedoes. He presented his beam to the submarine to entice the attack.

Then, at the chosen moment he shouted for "Left Full rudder; Flank speed on the starboard engine; Stop port engine." The Destroyer turned sharply and the incoming torpedoes were avoided.

One would think that modern Destroyers would be similarly agile, and the controls would be as easy to operate as a World War II Destroyer.

NOW; the "Rest of the Story."

This movie was hampered by multiple mishaps. Among them was when Robert Mitchum opened and stepped through the wrong hatch and fell 20 feet to the deck below, severely injuring his back.

Perhaps more troubling, on the part of the Navy, was when they fired several depth charges (apparently in an improper manner) and the concussion disabled the Destroyer.

Yep, they knocked themselves out of action.

.

[par]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

I can’t believe what I am reading in these articles about recent US Navy accidents and the loss of 17 sailors. Basic skill sets such as steering a ship have been eroded that far? I now know that it was our Navy’s fault in these collisions. Sure hope things turn around soon before more lives are lost.


Navy finds deep-rooted failures led to fatal collisions

Sailors driving the McCain were not qualified to be on watch, Navy says

Both ships were T boned. What they need is more people on watch in high traffic areas.

[Wiotte]

Originally Posted by par

Both ships were T boned. What they need is more people on watch in high traffic areas.

No, just one competent Captain


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[twoplanekid]

from USNI news - "Investigation: USS Fitzgerald, USS John McCain ‘Avoidable’ Collisions Due to Lapses in Basic Seamanship"
Investigation: USS Fitzgerald, USS John McCain ‘Avoidable’ Collisions Due to Lapses in Basic Seamanship - USNI News

and "Both crews did not attempt to contact the merchant ship bearing down on them, sound a warning horn, sound a collision warning or sound general quarters before the impacts."

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

from USNI news - "Investigation: USS Fitzgerald, USS John McCain ‘Avoidable’ Collisions Due to Lapses in Basic Seamanship"
Investigation: USS Fitzgerald, USS John McCain ‘Avoidable’ Collisions Due to Lapses in Basic Seamanship - USNI News

and "Both crews did not attempt to contact the merchant ship bearing down on them, sound a warning horn, sound a collision warning or sound general quarters before the impacts."

Total incompetence!