A rather extraordinary sight to behold in Tokyo Bay today as the U.S. Navy's two damaged destroyers, the USS John S. McCain and USS Fitzgerald, met for the first time since they were involved in separate fatal collisions with merchant ships over the summer. The USS John S. McCain had just arrived from the Philippines aboard Dockwise's heavy lift vessel MV Treasure when … [Read more...]
USS Fitzgerald Returns to Base with New Damage from Heavy Lift
The departure of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) from Japan has been delayed after the destroyer was damaged by the heavy lift vessel on which it is loaded. According to the U.S. Navy, Fitzgerald returned to the Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka base to repair two punctures in her hull caused by the heavy lift vessel's steel support … [Read more...]
Damaged USS Fitzgerald Loaded in Japan
The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) has been loaded aboard the heavy lift transport vessel Transshelf and begin her journey to Pascagoula, Mississippi for further repairs. Fitzgerald departed Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka under tow on November 24 begin the heavy lift process in deep water. Transshelf will transport Fitzgerald to … [Read more...]
U.S. Navy Rolls Out New Measures After Deadly Collisions
by Amy Sawitta Lefevre (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy has introduced new measures aimed at avoiding a repeat of two deadly crashes in the Asia Pacific region involving its warships and commercial vessels following a review of its practices, the Seventh Fleet commander said on Monday. Vice Admiral Phillip Sawyer’s comments come after a U.S. guided-missile destroyer was slightly … [Read more...]
The Navy’s Crash Course on Accountability -James Stavridis
By James Stavridis (Bloomberg View) -- In 1952, on a stormy night in the North Atlantic, the aircraft carrier USS Wasp cut the highly decorated World War II destroyer USS Hobson in two, with the loss of 176 sailors. Afterward, the accountability was swift and sure -- such is the tradition of the Navy. The Wall Street Journal responded with an editorial that is still … [Read more...]