August 25, 2017 by gCaptain
http://gcaptain.com/u-s-navy-provides-details-surface-fleet-review-wake-disturbing-trend-accidents/
Tugboats from Singapore assist the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) as it steers towards Changi Naval Base, Republic of Singapore following a collision with the merchant vessel, August 21, 2017. U.S. Navy Photo
The U.S. Navy has provided details of a comprehensive review of the Navy’s global surface fleet operations after the destroyers USS Fitzgerald and John S. McCain were both involved in major collisions with commercial vessels just two months apart.
In a memorandum to Adm. Philip Davidson, Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. William Moran, provided details of Davidson’s responsibilities as the head of the chief of naval operations-directed review.
In the memorandum, which is dated August 24, 2017 and posted in full below, Admiral Moran describes the collisions involving the Fitzgerald and John S. McCain, as well as other recent incidents, as part of a “disturbing trend” of mishaps involving U.S. Navy ships.
“During the last 69 days, the USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and the USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) were involved in two separate major collisions with commercial vessels while operating in the Seventh Fleet AOR [area of responsibility],” stated Moran in the memorandum. “Recent events indicate these tragic incidents are not limited occurrences but part of a disturbing trend of mishaps involving U.S. warships in the AOR – include the grounding of the USS Antietam (CG 54) in January and a collision between the USS Lake Chaplain (CG 57) and a South Korean fishing vessel in May.”
The memorandum directs Davidson to “lead a Comprehensive Review” of surface fleet operations and incidents at sea that have occurred over the past decade, with a particular focus on those occurring in the Seventh Fleet area of responsibility, in order “to inform improvements Navy-wide.”
“In the conduct of the review, you will seek input and insights from other services, industry, and highly qualified experts outside the services in order to ensure the widest possible perspective as we drive to the heart of the underlying issues and attack the root causes for these mishaps,” Moran writes.
The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) was involved in a collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while underway east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore on August 21.
On Friday, the Navy identified the second deceased USS John S. McCain sailor, 26-year-old Electronics Technician 3rd Class Dustin Louis Doyon, after divers recovered his body from inside a flooded compartment of the ship. Eight others are still missing and are presumed dead.
In June, seven sailors were killed when the USS Fitzgerald collided with a containership off the east coast of Japan.
Monday’s collision involving the John S. McCain prompted the removal of the Seventh Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.
The collision also prompted Navy Admiral John M. Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations, to order a temporary “operational pause” of all U.S. Navy fleets around the world in order to allow fleet commanders to assess and review with their commands “the fundamental practice to safe and effective operations.”
Richardson also said he would order Admiral Davidson to take charge of the comprehensive review that will include representation from throughout the Navy, as well as from other services and the private sector.
U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest of the U.S. Navy’s forward deployed fleets. At any given time there are roughly 50-70 ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and approximately 20,000 Sailors in the region.
The memorandum is available in full below or at the following link: http://go.usa.gov/xRGNw
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Navy Awards $3.1 Million Heavy Lift Contract for USS Fitzgerald Transport
August 25, 2017 by gCaptain
More:
http://gcaptain.com/navy-awards-3-1-million-heavy-lift-contract-for-uss-fitzgerald-transport/
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Meanwhile:
Icebreaking LNG Carrier Completes Unescorted Journey Through Northern Sea Route in Just 6 Days, 12 Hours
August 25, 2017 by gCaptain
http://gcaptain.com/icebreaking-lng-carrier-completes-unescorted-journey-through-northern-sea-route-in-just-6-days/
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IZAKOVIC
