scoutpilot
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2010
- Messages
- 4,479
As a senior Surface Warfare Officer, qualified OOD, TAO, CIC Watch Officer and Navigator, I will tell you that while the Rules of the Road test sounds very bad, it is kind of a red herring here and perhaps obscures the real issue here. Although the lack of rest, difficult schedule and equipment issues make the job more difficult, the 800 pound elephant in the room is the absolute lack of awareness by the watch teams of what was around and even more shocking is the reluctance to communicate between the OOD and TAO or for that matter, the Bridge and CIC. The TAO was sitting on her watch station doing her REGULAR JOB instead of maintaining situational awareness. This was a Department Head and even though, she was not the OOD, I would expect her to provide leadership and guidance to the OOD. The OOD MUST get out and look around from the bridge wings from time to time and also MUST ensure that the Lookouts are alert and reporting ships that are around them. The CIC Watch MUST be watching for traffic, especially in restricted waters/traffic separation scheme. The Bridge and CIC MUST be alert to what is going on round the ship at all times and BOTH need to not only be alert but also be communicating what is happening with the other watch station.What amazed me was when they tested the sailors on the ship they didnt know the answers and was even worse was when they tested other ships, the results were the same. I would hope that they dont charge people who werent trained properly
Others were dismissed - the Squadron Commodore for one.@Devil Doc The Admiral of the 7th Fleet was already dismissed for these collisions. Don't know if others were dismissed or if others deserved to be dismissed.
I agree with your sentiment as I have endured low morale as well. Very depressing indeed and the desire to get the heck out of there is oppressive. That though does not relieve professional military men and women from their duties on the high seas.It really made me sad to hear how dismal the moral was. How depressing!
As a senior Surface Warfare Officer, qualified OOD, TAO, CIC Watch Officer and Navigator, I will tell you that while the Rules of the Road test sounds very bad, it is kind of a red herring here and perhaps obscures the real issue here. Although the lack of rest, difficult schedule and equipment issues make the job more difficult, the 800 pound elephant in the room is the absolute lack of awareness by the watch teams of what was around and even more shocking is the reluctance to communicate between the OOD and TAO or for that matter, the Bridge and CIC. The TAO was sitting on her watch station doing her REGULAR JOB instead of maintaining situational awareness. This was a Department Head and even though, she was not the OOD, I would expect her to provide leadership and guidance to the OOD. The OOD MUST get out and look around from the bridge wings from time to time and also MUST ensure that the Lookouts are alert and reporting ships that are around them. The CIC Watch MUST be watching for traffic, especially in restricted waters/traffic separation scheme. The Bridge and CIC MUST be alert to what is going on round the ship at all times and BOTH need to not only be alert but also be communicating what is happening with the other watch station.What amazed me was when they tested the sailors on the ship they didnt know the answers and was even worse was when they tested other ships, the results were the same. I would hope that they dont charge people who werent trained properly
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As a young LT I encountered a watchstander who was endangering the ship and took immediate action. I was the Ship's Navigator and had the authority to take the deck from an OOD when necessary and did so one night and then notified the chain of command. CO and XO were very glad that I'd done so. Senior Watch Officer (who had to rework the watchbills) was not happy with me and made life difficult for me whenever he could but it was the right decision and I'd do it again if necessary.
I always had backup or at least Comms with backup (CIC) but I NEVER EVER had the deck without watching where I was going and always having a plan to deal with (avoid/not hit) any contacts in the area. Yes there were other members of the bridge and CIC watch teams who were also making recommendations but I considered them to be ADVISORY in case I missed something.Most ships don't need a CIC to call in contacts. Most ships can do it with a few people. An OOD should be able to pull out a MoBoard and determine if another contact is CBDR. Of course, because those cogs do exist on a Navy ship they certainly need to work well together.
"The Navy is expected Thursday to drop criminal charges against the commanding officer of the warship Fitzgerald and another officer who were facing court-martial trials tied to the fatal 2017 collision with a merchant vessel, according to Navy officials and the family of one of the fallen sailors."
That's a technicality and a half.
She ran her ship directly in front of a merchant vessel and caused the deaths of 7 sailors. The merchant vessel being improperly lit doesn't change or excuse that.