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Update: No Injuries in Strait of Hormuz Collision
From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain (NNS) -- No one was hurt when a U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer and a large Japanese owned merchant vessel collided near the Strait of Hormuz Aug. 12.
The collision between USS Porter (DDG 78) and the Panamanian-flagged bulk oil tanker M/V Otowasan occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. local time.
Porter transited under its own power to Jebel Ali, UAE and is now pierside for assessment and repair.
The incident is under investigation.
USS Porter is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.
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STORY COMMENTS7 COMMENTS
8/14/2012 9:31:00 AM
Ship on the right has Right of Way ???, still applies ??
Ship on the right has Right of Way ???, still applies ??
8/13/2012 4:00:00 PM
How come no one saw the tanker on radar? Was there no night watch? What would have happened if it was an enemy ship? Was everyone at the bridge asleep?
How come no one saw the tanker on radar? Was there no night watch? What would have happened if it was an enemy ship? Was everyone at the bridge asleep?
8/13/2012 3:00:00 PM
Who was asleep at the helm? Where was the Captain when all this was going on? Who had the Conn?
Who was asleep at the helm? Where was the Captain when all this was going on? Who had the Conn?
8/13/2012 12:37:00 PM
I sincerely hope the Navy does NOT reprimand the Captain or shelve his career. More than likely this was not his fault. The amount it costs to educate and train a person and the years of valuable experience this person has is invaluable. The Navy SHOULD TAKE CARE AND DEFEND ITS OWN!!!
I sincerely hope the Navy does NOT reprimand the Captain or shelve his career. More than likely this was not his fault. The amount it costs to educate and train a person and the years of valuable experience this person has is invaluable. The Navy SHOULD TAKE CARE AND DEFEND ITS OWN!!!
8/13/2012 7:28:00 AM
Someone please explain to me how a state of the art United States Navy Destroyer does not see an oil tanker that is 10 times it size? Were all the radars off? Where were the bridge watches? Were all the people in CIC sleeping and did not detect and oil tanker coming towards the ship? This does not say much for the state of the art capabilities of the Navys destroyers or their crew. At least no one was hurt.
Someone please explain to me how a state of the art United States Navy Destroyer does not see an oil tanker that is 10 times it size? Were all the radars off? Where were the bridge watches? Were all the people in CIC sleeping and did not detect and oil tanker coming towards the ship? This does not say much for the state of the art capabilities of the Navys destroyers or their crew. At least no one was hurt.
8/12/2012 6:06:00 PM
You cannot take anything for granted, and without knowing all the conditions encountered it is hard to make have an opinion. Having said that, I find it hard to believe that a situation would occur that would cause this highly maneuverable warship to place itself in a situation where there would be a collision. My gut feeling goes back over the recent history of the Navy, and how leadership, and the chain of command seems to have eroded. Luckily no lives were lost in this accident.
You cannot take anything for granted, and without knowing all the conditions encountered it is hard to make have an opinion. Having said that, I find it hard to believe that a situation would occur that would cause this highly maneuverable warship to place itself in a situation where there would be a collision. My gut feeling goes back over the recent history of the Navy, and how leadership, and the chain of command seems to have eroded. Luckily no lives were lost in this accident.
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While the CO might or might not have had anything to do with hazarding his vessel, ultimately it is his responsibility what happens to her, be that good or bad. In this case, it is bad, and he will pay the ultimate price, with his career being shot to hell.