USS JOHN S McCAIN (DDG 56) in Collision

[Oyaji]

Another Yokosuka homeported destroyer has been involved in a collision at sea. Don't have the full story just yet but, it was the USS JOHN S McCAIN and a merchant ship that collided in the Malacca Straits near Singapore.

The Malacca Straits is a bottleneck that ships pass through from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean. It is an extremely busy seaway and is frequented by pirates.

Here's the FOX News link with the story..........

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/08/20/uss-john-s-mccain-collides-with-merchant-ship-in-pacific.html

[Oyaji]

Five crewman injured and flooding reported in two berthing compartmenrts and shaft alley.

Amphibious ship AMERICA steaming at best speed to assist JOHN S McCAIN.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2017/08/20/navy-destroyer-john-s-mccain-collides-with-merchant-vessel/

[leftyo]

unbelievable!

[Dan Shapiro]

WTF is going on on the bridge of these ships?

[JohnMOhio]

Somebody asleep at the wheel? I just wonder if the same radar system is on both ships that had collisions this year. I didn't hear anything about time of day this last collision occured. Night time? Day? Fog? How can you not know it is there?

[S.A. Boggs]

WTF is going on on the bridge of these ships?

Apparently nothing.
Sam

[JB White]

WTF is going on on the bridge of these ships?

This might answer your question. From the article in the OP:

Aside from the USS McCain and USS Fitgerald incidents, the Navy crusier USS Antietam ran aground dumping over 1,000 gallons of oil in Tokyo Bay in Februray. In May, another cruiser, USS Lake Champlain, hit a South Korean fishing vessel.

An active-duty Navy officer expressed concern to Fox News over the training of young Navy officers aboard ships.

“It’s not the same level of training you used to get,” the officer said.

[nf1e]

Incompetence of command.
There is no other excuse for this to happen, people are not performing their assigned duties.
Political correctness is taking it's toll on our military preparedness.
UCMJ needs to be executed in order to re-establish some semblance of a chain of command that is unbroken.
If an individual does not measure up to the oath he has " voluntarily" taken, heads need to roll.
Hopefully this Captain and Executive officer are not just the relatives of some pseudo important person.
The best equipment in the world is totally worthless without adult leadership.
Waiting for the normal lame excuses that will most certainly follow.

Semper Fi
Art

[Oyaji]

Search underway for 10 sailors after USS John S. McCain collision near Singapore; ship has significant damage

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/08/21/search-underway-for-10-sailors-after-uss-john-s-mccain-collision-near-singapore-ship-has-significant-damage.html

john s mccain collision.jpg

[jon_norstog]

Navy Times hasn't got anything on cause of the accident or even what happened. From the photos it looks as if the McCain got T-boned by the bow bulb of an unloaded tanker. The collision took place at about 5:30, when a lot of the crew would have been up and about. As was the case with the Fitzgerald, the collision took place in restricted waters.

One of the commenters, "Seal Tiel" (apparently a retired BMC) believes that the Bridge is generally relying too much on GPS and radar, and not enough on lookout watches.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2017/08/20/navy-destroyer-john-s-mccain-collides-with-merchant-vessel/

jn

[Dan Shapiro]

You have to wonder if everyone is too busy with their heads down looking at their wonder toys and not taking the time to look out the porthole.

Several years ago a pilot and co-pilot "flew" their aircraft 100 miles beyond their destination. Seems they were busy with their laptops.

[Oyaji]

You have to wonder if everyone is too busy with their heads down looking at their wonder toys and not taking the time to look out the porthole.

Several years ago a pilot and co-pilot "flew" their aircraft 100 miles beyond their destination. Seems they were busy with their laptops.

That's what I'm thinking. That and having females on board to further distract watchstanders. Maybe it's time to equip our Navy ships with automated braking systems and lane drifting sensors like some of the newer automobiles have.

[m1ashooter]

First prayers are need for the crew and their families. Now I'm putting on my aluminum foil hat. One accident is bad but two really has to make you wonder. Is there some kinda of black ops war being played by the CHICOMS or is another of our ships being manned with unqualified people.

[leftyo]

it would seem that it is a case of unqualified people, or more likely that combined with lax standards of todays navy.

[barretcreek]

There has been conjecture about Chinese cyber warfare being involved.

Now let me sound off. I was in the Naval Reserve for 9&1/2 years. Had to fight to get 2 weeks active duty. Stood one bridge watch as JOD. Around 0200 Ops came out of CIC and told us of a maneuvering board exercise; "we're going to bisect twin targets on the same track, same speed with a separation of X". OD was the Supply Officer, working on his qualifications. I was indiscreet enough to point out it was a tug towing a barge. Guy went ballistic so Ops, 1st Lt., Sr. Chief, OD and myself went out on the bridge wing for a monologue. After a while the tug captain got on the sideband and said "I know you're the USN 'cause nobody else would try something so stupid. CHANGE COURSE NOW!" and then started blowing his whistle. By this time the Chief had bailed. Soon the XO announced himself, took the con and executed a course change, then back on the original track and went to bed.

Next morning I was in the Ward Room wondering "Which thumb today" when an enlisted guy knocked on the door and told me I was invited to the Principal's Office. Capt. pointed to the bare spot on the carpet and inquired as to WTF went on last night. I explained what I did with the information I had and etc. Dismissed.

My evaluation stated "Lt. Clueless proved himself to be a valuable member of the Bridge Team".

I don't think the Navy has professional mariners anymore. Going to sea is ticket punching but not career enhancing. Last time I was on the East Coast went to dinner with some folks one of whom was a retired Navy investigator, not sure exactly which part of the security apparatus he was in. He told me the Naval Academy graduates more Political Science majors than anything else. He also said for a while all the Academy graduates were getting Reserve commissions rather than Regular so at the end of their obligation they could be let go. My own personal take is the Navy should be emphasizing building tough little ships of limited capability as opposed to bigger complex ships so as to get the maximum number of lower grade CO and NCO command experience. There is no substitute for that.