Messages

1

Shipping News and information / Re: US Navy destroyer collides with oil tanker off Singapore

« on: August 28, 2017, 07:31:37 AM »

To Kelvin:
An impressive article, indeed. Published in 2009...no lessons learnt.

2

Shipping News and information / Re: US Navy destroyer collides with oil tanker off Singapore

« on: August 23, 2017, 05:31:45 AM »

Noticed, in TV news-shots and pictures that after collision the destroyer displayed "vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre" (ball-diamond-ball) signal under her port-side yard-arm.
Considering COLREG definition:
(g) The term 'vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre' means a vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to manoeuvre as required by these Rules and therefore is unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.
I am not sure that was appropriate at the moment. She was rather a 'not under command' then.
It is often mistaken, even by some merchant navy officers even though they posses much more practical sea experience than their military counterparts.

3

Shipping News and information / Re: US Navy destroyer collides with oil tanker off Singapore

« on: August 22, 2017, 05:43:16 AM »

Back in early 90-ties of past century:

sunny morning in the open Caribbean Sea (not USA territorial waters), USCG cutter crossing from port to starboard at high speed, calling:

-(my ship's name), this is USCG....., request you give me a way!

Being young, and naive, watch officer back then I tried to hint USCG opposite on COLREGS but the reply was:

-(my ship's name), this is USCG....., request you give me a way!

and again:

-(my ship's name), this is USCG....., request you give me a way!

Well, I gave up and initiated slow 360 degrees turn to starboard to avoid collision (not close quarters because our CPA was "zero"). Needless to say that I had my master on my back in 2 minutes, lecturing me about watchkeeping, lookout and COLREGS...

4

Shipping News and information / Re: Josephine Maersk and Spring Glory collision

« on: May 07, 2013, 12:19:48 PM »

Although the Singapore Strait is by far the most congested sea lane in the World, such a rogue bridge practice is becoming more and more frequent and common anywhere. More gadgets - less brainwork.

5

Shipping News and information / Re: Josephine Maersk and Spring Glory collision

« on: May 06, 2013, 06:05:39 AM »

Makes your hair stand on end! Contemporary "standards" of navigation though.

6

Shipping News and information / Re: Six Dead After COSTA CONCORDIA Runs Aground

« on: January 25, 2012, 06:18:20 AM »

Hi,does anybody know if Costa Concordia was equipped with MES (Maritime Evacuation System-kind of glide, as installed on all passenger planes)? No picture of her indicates it to be deployed.

7

Shipping News and information / Re: Six Dead After COSTA CONCORDIA Runs Aground

« on: January 16, 2012, 06:33:05 AM »

The captain has been dumb as he is. Complacency is the least what can be said about his attitude. There is no way of planning a track 300 metres off the rocks.
Even allowing for cruise-vessels' way of giving a thrill to passengers, by showing them landscapes at close distance-there was nothing to display there after 2100 hours and with most passengers seated for welcome-dinner.