US navy ship ‘did not heed collision alert’
Print Edition
A US warship struck by a container vessel in Japanese waters failed to respond to warning signals or take evasive action before a collision that killed seven of its crew, according to a report of the incident by the Philippine cargo ship’s captain.
Multiple US and Japanese investigations are under way into how the guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald and the much larger ACX Crystal container ship collided in clear weather south of Tokyo Bay in the early hours of June 17.
In the first detailed account from one of those directly involved, the cargo ship’s captain said the ACX Crystal had signalled with flashing lights after the Fitzgerald “suddenly” steamed on to a course to cross its path.
The container ship steered hard to starboard to avoid the warship, but hit the Fitzgerald 10 minutes later at 1:30am, according to a copy of Captain Ronald Advincula’s report to Japanese ship owner Dainichi Investment Corporation.
The US Navy declined to comment and Reuters was not able to independently verify the account.
The collision tore a gash below the Fitzgerald’s waterline, killing seven sailors in what was the greatest loss of life on a US Navy vessel since the USS Cole was bombed in Yemen’s Aden harbor in 2000.
Those who died were in their berthing compartments, while the Fitzgerald’s commander was injured in his cabin, suggesting he had not been called to the bridge and that no alarm was sounded.
A spokesman for the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet in Yokosuka, the Fitzgerald’s home port, said he was unable to comment on an ongoing investigation.
The incident has spurred six investigations, including two by the US Navy and a probe by the United States Coast Guard on behalf of the National Transportation Safety Board. The Japan Transport Safety Board, the JCG and the Philippines government are also investigating.
The Japan Coast Guard, US Coast Guard and ship owner, Dainichi Invest, all declined to comment.
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