Seven sailors are missing and feared dead after the US Navy Destroyer USS Fitzgerald was involved in a collision with a 29,000 ton Philippine merchant ship ACX Crystal off the coast of Japan yesterday. The cause of the collision is unclear.
In addition to the seven missing sailors, Captain Bryce Benson and two other crewmembers of the Fitzgerald were airlifted to the hospital
‘It was a was real fight by crew to keep the ship afloat. Our concerns now are with ship mates; seven sailors missing and 2 evacuees. When the news came we were all focused on the safety of or ship and the crew,’ a naval spokesman in Yokosuka told DailyMail.com. ‘We at the base are still reeling from the events.’ –Daily Mail
Images of the PH Container ship that collided with the #USSFitzgerald. https://t.co/Olg3UGXrwI pic.twitter.com/mRu8rBY4qG
— Robert Speta (@robertspeta) June 16, 2017
Aerial footage shows extensive damage to the 9,000 ton $1.5 billion destroyer.
Navy Statement
UPDATE 10:18PM ET. Search continues for seven missing @USNavy sailors. #USSFitzgerald pic.twitter.com/yl3cQsL876
— Gab.ai/Powerwave20 (@Powerwave20) June 17, 2017
President Trump has sent his thoughts and condolences to those affected:
Thoughts and prayers with the sailors of USS Fitzgerald and their families. Thank you to our Japanese allies for their assistance. https://t.co/d1l5ctjNyB
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 17, 2017
Photos
Yeah, it makes sense that there would be ship collisions on world seas…. because the oceans are sooo small and all the ships are virtually bumper to bumper, side to side crammed like sardines everywhere. Plus it’s difficult to see oncoming ship and avoid it quickly because the sight distance to horizon is only 4.65km and for a merchant vessel about 50 meters tall, it could be observed from only 45 km away standing on destroyer 20m above water. Hurray for the NAVY…
For 1.5 billion, Can we get a fucking radar detecter???
How does and American War ship let another vessel get that close?
I’m flabbergasted…
There’ll be a few court martials and ended careers out of this. What the hell was the crew on watch doing?