Bridge Audio from USS Porter, collision

[kham]

From the Aug 12 2012 collision with a tanker in persian gulf

From CDR Sal

From what I can hear, it sounds like a collossal Charlie Foxtrot with the OOD getting second guessed for every move by the CO, and some of the ideas HE had were utterly moronic. COLREGS? who needs those eh?

[kham]

Navy Times has it as well along with some additional information. Some of which sounds like a load of bullshit. Sealing records for 'possible litigation' is a fat-assed lie, since you generally can't sue navies. And even so, if you are utterly at fault, you be paying the damages up front to avoid a long draw out legal process. The interesting question as to why the OOD or bridge team didnt be more forceful in making their case to the CO stands out. The CO doesnt sound like a screamer, but unless you served with him, theres no way to know. I can tell you that if he takes the con all you can do is offer suggestions. And he can ignore them as much as he likes. Also, think of Batman and Ras a Gul: " I'm not going to kill you. But I dont have to SAVE you either" Plenty guys I know I would be EXACTLY like Batman. The real world, payback can be a bitch, bitch.

[bbjohn]

Does the CO twiddle three ball bearings in his hands?

[kham]

At the stage you should be by the time in command of a destroyer, you should have shiphandling down to the point of BREATHING. You use that organic supercomputer that they spent so much money on training, or in college and ACT. You dont need to consult a manual, or do the <manuever> You DO IT. And charging around at flank speed in a high traffic area isnt one of the things thats on the top of the list. Not one whisper on audio about bearing rates, or CPAs. Not a peep from CIC (a neat feature navies have that you dont) The Squadron CO must have seen things the same way as well, since he relieved the destroyer CO almost at once. Now, thats pro forma in most incidents. But this I suspect the kind with prejudice. Doesnt mention action against anyone else, but from whats heard and written here, this bridge team didnt exactly cover themselves with glory

[Duncan Edwards]

Wow, that's awful. I'm no sailor but one thing dad (CPO USNR) taught me if nothing else - "Boy, when you're in charge, dammit! Be in CHARGE!" My Uncle (Lt Commander USNR) had better resource management in the late sixties when he was in command of a detachment of elderly minesweepers in New Orleans that we took a ride on. And we were just fishing.

[Duncan Edwards]

Does the CO twiddle three ball bearings in his hands?

It kind of has that feel, doesn't it?

[Nessie]

Why did I listen to that?

Does the CO twiddle three ball bearings in his hands?

It kind of has that feel, doesn't it?

"I got those yellow stain blues..."

Nessie

[kham]

Queeg might have been a dickhead, but I was behind everything Jose Ferrer said in the last scene. Interesting that, I have seen it a couple times and have wondered if the producers of JAG used his character as the model for a certain other naval aviator injured and turned lawyer....

[kham]

Wow, that's awful. I'm no sailor but one thing dad (CPO USNR) taught me if nothing else - "Boy, when you're in charge, dammit! Be in CHARGE!" My Uncle (Lt Commander USNR) had better resource management in the late sixties when he was in command of a detachment of elderly minesweepers in New Orleans that we took a ride on. And we were just fishing.

Exactly
One of the commenters over at Navy Times I think, said that one thing nowadays is there's too many damned JO's on the bridge. Throw in the helmsman, lee helm, QM, QM's Assistant, a pair of Lookouts, and your damn near cheek by jowl. I have maybe 2. Counting myself. And if things turning pear shaped, call the Captain. The helmsman sounded on the ball , but the poor bastard was likely trying to catch up from one helm order before he had executed the last one. Leaving the bridge to attend to inconsequential message traffic at a crucial moment, then coming back in and taking the con is a gigantic cardinal sin. Jesus, there are even Rules that are written with that in mind. There's probably more to come with this mishap as far as lessons learned go. Plus, lets just say that Sal isn't being very forgiving regarding all the other bullshit the navy wastes time and money on instead of, oh, the basics?

[Mynock]

Finally got a chance to listen to this.....besides the dozen or so idiots playing back seat driver what the hell is with these guys using a busy canal as a slalom course? Jesus guys you're driving 10,000 ton destroyer not a wave runner.