Navy drops charges against Commander:
Navy drops criminal charges in USS Fitzgerald collision that killed 7
Navy drops criminal charges in USS Fitzgerald collision that killed 7
USS Fitzgerald again
- Thread starter joe44va
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kwselke
Member
Thanks for the follow-up.
onebadvet
US Veteran
Nice to see the Navy making the right decision, then ruining person's career.
BLACKHAWKNJ
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The link doesn't work.
"Career ending"=retirement without a band. Slaps on the wrist for the higher ups, the small fry get the book thrown at them.
"Career ending"=retirement without a band. Slaps on the wrist for the higher ups, the small fry get the book thrown at them.
"Letters of Censure" that'll show 'em.
I took this from the link:
I took this from the link:
Having being a Boatswain Mate on the same Destroyer for 3 years and for the last 2 of them the Helmsman for all the Special Sea and Anchor Details I can attest to that. We had 1 Captain who's nick name was "Captain Crunch"
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I've never served on a ship, or been on a cruise for that matter, but I blows my mind that two such immense vessels cannot see that they're on a collision course way before it happens. I can understand it more with aircraft, which move so fast they rely on radar & radios. I cannot understand how a navy vessel (especially), can't tell that another ship is nearby. Are they playing "daredevil" out there or what.
It's was probably discussed here after it happened, but I missed it. (both times)
It's was probably discussed here after it happened, but I missed it. (both times)
Most collisions occur while refueling, taking on supplies or War Games
Also during thick fog. I was on the Charles R. Ware DD 865 from 70-73
it's on Wikipedia. BTW. Taking on 85 foot waves was a pisser ( they were breaking OVER the Bridge) I had a ringside seat.
Also during thick fog. I was on the Charles R. Ware DD 865 from 70-73
it's on Wikipedia. BTW. Taking on 85 foot waves was a pisser ( they were breaking OVER the Bridge) I had a ringside seat.
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One of the close one's I was on DE 369 in a four ship formation at night.
On the 02 amidships with the other 2ed class SOG. I see Red & Green lights coming right at us. The ship goes flank speed, they missed us by about 5 to 7 Yds. The other ship lost steering from the bridge and did not give after steering a course to go to while the rudders were hard left.
On the 02 amidships with the other 2ed class SOG. I see Red & Green lights coming right at us. The ship goes flank speed, they missed us by about 5 to 7 Yds. The other ship lost steering from the bridge and did not give after steering a course to go to while the rudders were hard left.
OP
There are times that it just isn't easy on any ship.
vigil617
US Veteran
Thanks for the update, joe.
I think the Navy's decision is the right one. CDR Benson and LT Combs already have been punished, and continuing to pursue the criminal charges would not serve anyone's interest.
Benson sustained a brain injury in the collision. That, losing his career, and having to know for the rest of his life that sailors died under his command, is probably more than enough for him to bear.
I think the Navy's decision is the right one. CDR Benson and LT Combs already have been punished, and continuing to pursue the criminal charges would not serve anyone's interest.
Benson sustained a brain injury in the collision. That, losing his career, and having to know for the rest of his life that sailors died under his command, is probably more than enough for him to bear.
I never ran anything bigger than a 105' boat, but, I can tell you that they don't do anything quickly.
A ship that is 505' long, 66' wide and draws over 30' displacing 9000 tons isn't going to turn quickly no matter how much you want it too. Moving anywhere near its top speed of 30kts its bulk is going to take some time and distance before it can alter is course a lot.
The freighter had more bulk to contend with.
Some one should have noticed a possible collision course before it got to the critical point.
I was not in the wheel house of either ship.
A ship that is 505' long, 66' wide and draws over 30' displacing 9000 tons isn't going to turn quickly no matter how much you want it too. Moving anywhere near its top speed of 30kts its bulk is going to take some time and distance before it can alter is course a lot.
The freighter had more bulk to contend with.
Some one should have noticed a possible collision course before it got to the critical point.
I was not in the wheel house of either ship.
pittpa
Member
I was on a cruise ship that was steering around a storm off the coast of Australia. I watched from the restaurant on deck 12 as the ship plowed into waves that broke over the bow. The ship hit one trough just right and a wall of water went over my head, covering the glass wall I was sitting at. The ship slowed immediately. That was cool, but one time was enough. Unfortunately my camera was not recording.
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BLACKHAWKNJ
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My experience with career military people-and I retired as an LTC, USAR-is they are not very sentimental and got where they are in their careers by thinking about nobody but themselves. And it's always somebody else's fault. In recent years the military has gotten away from the notion of command responsibility.
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S&WIowegan
US Veteran
One of our daughters served on USS Carl Vinson(nuclear carrier w/ 5000 sailors) on its' final cruise before refitting in Norfolk. They sailed from Puget Sound to San Diego, across the Pacific to the Persion Gulf for combat then through the Suez Canal into the Med and on to Norfolk. Our daughter was pretty gung ho and enjoyed the Navy. On thing she did say was that the CO on that cruise didn't care about the sailors and was just getting his ticket punched.
I served in the Army and saw good officers, OK officers and lousy ones. It's the nature of the beast.
I served in the Army and saw good officers, OK officers and lousy ones. It's the nature of the beast.
OP
The command structure tends to be like a ladder full of monkeys. When you look down you see nothing but smiling faces; when you look up you see nothing but aholes. It does take all kinds of folks to fill the freeways though.
ShivasIrons
Member
From talking with Current sailors I think the Navy is not training like it used too.
I also feel a contributing factor may be too much reliance on technology. With 15 people on bridge watch team, you should not be running into things.
I also feel a contributing factor may be too much reliance on technology. With 15 people on bridge watch team, you should not be running into things.
LVSteve
Member
Staggering considering my source said that the Fitzgerald was a broken ship command wise from top to bottom.
ShivasIrons
Member
The Military is probably facing a leadership deficit. Not an appealing career choice to the skinny jeans crowd...
I think this link has been been posted here before. Long, but thorough article on what happened: Death and Valor on an American Warship Doomed by its Own Navy
