USS Fitzgerald-MV ACX Crystal collision
_in_June_2017.JPG)
USS Fitzgerald returns to base after the collision
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| Date | 17 June 2017 |
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| Time | about 1:30 a.m. JST |
| Location | 56 nautical miles (104 kilometres; 64 miles) southwest of Yokosuka, Japan |
| Coordinates | 34°32′N 139°05′E / 34.533°N 139.083°ECoordinates: 34°32′N 139°05′E / 34.533°N 139.083°E |
| Casualties | |
| 7 deaths on USS Fitzgerald | |
| 3 confirmed injuries | |
Early on 17 June 2017, the United States Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald collided with MV ACX Crystal, a Philippine-flagged container ship, about 80 nautical miles (150 kilometres; 92 miles) southwest of Tokyo, Japan; 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) southeast of the city of Shimoda on the Japanese mainland (Honshu).
The accident killed seven Fitzgerald sailors. Their bodies were recovered from the flooded berthing compartments of the ship. At least three more of the crew of nearly 300 were injured, including the ship's commanding officer, Commander Bryce Benson. The top two senior officers and the top enlisted sailor were relieved of duty and are facing criminal charges; about a dozen other sailors will receive non-judicial punishment.
In a report released on 1 November the Navy describes Fitzgerald's course in the half-hour prior to the collision as running 190T (nearly due south), with a speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph). At about 01:17 Fitzgerald's OOD (Officer of the Deck, responsible for the ship's course and maneuvering) misjudged the course of ACX Crystal. At 01:25 the OOD, Lt. j.g. Sarah Coppock, noticed ACX Crystal getting closer, and ordered a turn to 240T (that is, to turn to the right and pass behind ACX Crystal), but then rescinded the order. Instead she "ordered an increase to full speed and a rapid turn to the left (port)" (to pass ahead of ACX Crystal), but "these orders were not carried out." At 01:29 the "Bosun Mate of the Watch, a more senior supervisor on the bridge, took over the helm and executed the orders." The Navy has not said what those orders were, nor what transpired on the bridge following the collision at 01:30. Among other failings the Navy says "physical look out duties" were not performed on the starboard (right) side, where ACX Crystal and two other ships were approaching.
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