Erik

https://dcs.megaphone.fm/BUR6679441634.mp3?key=276747d6095168c8d13dc8b20bdfcfd8

No politics but "ban"? You? What kind of drugs are they passing around over there?

That audio clip sounded like a young crew. Listening to the helm explain himself over and over like he was 12 was astonishing. Maybe he should be driving a dinghy and not a 1.5 billion dollar destroyer. He knew he was in over his head when he cried to slow to 5 knots which if he hadn't done that maybe they'd have cleared the tanker which was probably gauging his position and speed on the destroyers until it slowed abruptly. I would have hoped these kids would have had better training. Lack of experience and sheer terror of his duties was ultimately the captain's responsibility. It's no surprise he lost his command. The Fitzgerald's Captain was bunked up for the night and the accident impacted his sleeping quarters which is why they airlifted him off the boat. So those poor guys not only harpooned themselves on one of the biggest boats in the ocean but almost killed the captain in the process. There's probably a few bad reviews in that crew's immediate future. We should do better that's a fact and if the President doesn't have the top brass of the Navy sitting in his office right now he's absent on the job. Don't get me wrong I'm proud of these kids but if we don't give them the training, knowledge, and experience it's our own damn fault if half our total fleet ends up beached and broken somewhere.

The green track is the position reported by the ACX Crystal. Red star is where the incident occurred approximately but you can clearly see the track sharply move right and then again back left to an on course position accounting for the auto pilot. This is very similar to an accident that happened in 2012. Notice the almost exact same strike location on the starboard side. You'd think those Raytheon radar array panels were targets. Damage to the USS Porter after colliding with a supertanker in the Persian Gulf in August 2012. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Sunderman/Released) On August 12, 2012, the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Porter collided with a Mitsui OSK Lines’ supertanker M/T Otowasan near the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. The collision tore a 3 by 3 meter (9.8 ft — 9.8 ft) hole in the starboard side of the destroyer, forcing it to Jebel Ali, Dubai for repairs. No one was injured however. The ship’s captain, Cmdr. Martin Arriola, was subsequently relieved of command and replaced by Cmdr. Dave Richardson. On 12 October 2012, the Porter rejoined Carrier Strike Group Twelve for its transit through the Suez Canal following extensive repairs to the ship. Below is the audio soundtrack from the bridge. Be prepared for something that will make most sailors blow a gasket. At the end of the track you'll hear one of the crew announce the strike location. https://soundcloud.com/the-virginian-pilot/audio-from-the-guided-missile-destroyer-porters-collision-in-the-strait-of-hormuz

The latest update I read is the cargo ship was on autopilot with nobody manning the helm. The accident occurred at 01:30 AM an hour earlier than previously stated. The US Navy has yet to clarify their reported time of 02:30 AM. It is understandable that notification was delayed due to the all hands on deck muster required immediately following the impact. The cargo ship being on auto-pilot returned to course after almost coming to a complete stop after impact and only 30 minutes later once a damage assessment had concluded did they make a u-turn to find out what they hit. Upon arriving at the badly damaged USS Fitzgerald at 02:30 AM an hour after the collision did both vessels decide to call this in to the Japanese Coast Guard. The utter chaos that ensued on the Fitzgerald immediately after the compartments were ruptured just above the keel must have been an incredible scene. My hat goes off to the Navy sailors who risked everything to keep the Fitzgerald afloat when all odds were against them. It is also reported that a vessel should never be struck on the starboard side as it is common maritime law that the ship giving way should have been the Fitzgerald because of it's position to the impending traffic. I expect that a very close review of the duty logs and crew of that Mid Watch manning the Fitzgerald wheel house will be closely examined as a special JAG investigation is underway. The loss of life is the most important factor here and to those men and their families my sincerest condolences and grateful appreciation of their service for the United States of America.

You never see officer Fife there holster his weapon or see his severed fingers as he re-swings that door square to the opening. Besides the law abiding citizens who just got done skiing gathered around that bar thought it was rude how he interrupted their country guitar music playing friend.

Reuters makes this claim, "International maritime rules for collision avoidance do not define right of way for any one vessel, but provide common standards for signaling between ships, as well as regulations on posting lookouts." While I was doing some research I came across this interesting cut away. The Fitzgerald (starboard strike) was hit in almost the identical spot as the Cole (port strike) at the electrical compartment oddly. You can see how close this accident came to the ammo stores on the Fitzgerald, dicey.

I see it differently. I colored the strike points I see and the yellow line shows the displacement of the hull from the bulb on the ACX Crystal. I'm not sure how the keel of the Fitzgerald would be where you say it was. Happy to listen to the speculation though.

The damage to the ACX Crystal is substantial and so incredibly high above the waterline compared to the much smaller Fitzgerald. It almost appears to me the bulbous bow of the ACX Crystal was forced down below the keel of the Fitzgerald and it's a miracle the Fitzgerald didn't sink. If the impact to the Fitzgerald had happened just forward midships this could have been a completely different kind of story. The findings from the investigation hopefully one day will be told. Were the tragic deaths of the crew due to the immediate impact in berthing compartments, due to heroic efforts to seal water tight compartments, or due to fact that they couldn't get out of the way of danger, doing their jobs or otherwise, before the orders to seal compartments were given. The crews and vessels both were truly blessed that night and to quote screen legend Mr. Sean Connery playing Captain Ramius, "Hey, Ryan, be careful what you shoot at. Most things in here don't react too well to bullets." Nor to cargo vessels striking them I'd imagine.

Yeah but do they have one on how to get rid of them? *laughs*

Let me get back to you..... ***starts novel*** ... book one, chapter one

I'm confused. There's an opinion that the cargo ship should give way to DDG 62? I'm not following that conclusion. This incident happened at 02:30 AM local time so it was dark outside. How would the cargo ship know this was a USN Boat? We don't broadcast that information on any radar return the cargo vessel would have been getting. I would have hoped that there were voice communications but that's questionable as well. Turn the boat or wreck a 1.5 billion dollar investment? Seems like a fairly easy decision for anyone to make but I admit I have little knowledge of maritime rules. Maybe someone can help me understand.

The bow bulb of the cargo ship surely damaged the Fitzgerald below the water line. That would account for the flooding below deck though nobody is reporting that. With the damage above the waterline it looks like a strike from a perpendicular path which is just odd given the amount of radar detection gear on this newly retrofitted destroyer. There is no clarification of how two manned bridges both failed to observe the immediate danger. It would seem the right of way would go to the least maneuverable ship which would have been the cargo ship. It makes me wonder if the Fitzgerald was conducting identity checks on ships heading to North Korea and they were in the process of verifying the identity and destination of the cargo ship when the accident occurred. As speculation this is the only thing that makes sense given the detection capabilities of DDG 62. I'd be curious to hear the statement of the crew and captain is of the ACX Crystal, the cargo vessel under Philippines registration which is currently still in route to Tokyo making 13.5 knots. Everything about this is just weird.

Thanks! Yeah still interesting platform but with that MTOW and TWR it's not quite as nimble as I had hoped. Pilots have their own philosophy on engine power. LOTS is GOOD, MORE is BETTER, TOO MUCH is JUST ENOUGH. Words to live by.

Did the E get an engine upgrade? From the last data sheets I remember seeing it had a minimal TWR of .81 and a single fan with 15K trust on an empty weight of 19K lbs. (from memory don't shoot me) I would like to see the Gripen realize better performance data for the job they are asked to do. That was my only complaint of the lumbering beasts they once were akin to the Mig 21.

I'll start us off ... Callsign: TEFLON SLAB

I couldn't understand what they were talking about. Was there some sort of contest or contest of the contest before or after the contest that was the contest in the contest on the contest for the contest if the contest were to be in the contest for ways the contest should have been contest?

I only knew because I read "Billy Bishop: Canadian Hero" about 6 months ago.

William Avery Bishop

Nothing ... I extended an offer and discovered that open source development or modding wasn't something of interest at the time.

At one point in time we opened a dialogue as well, given the amount of modders hanging around, and what we thought was a perfect fit like pepperoni and cheese turned out more like peanut butter and Brussels sprouts.

I'm so terribly tarnished in my old age. I hear the younger generation talk about a day of honor as a long weekend, games, parties, and hot dogs that I literally have to walk away before I commit a crime. Men not much older than these entitled bastards gave their lives knowing the fight they gave that day provided a better life for younger generations. I will not celebrate a day like Memorial Day. I will observe it with dignity and respect for all those who were brave enough to stand and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. *a moment of silence* THANK YOU!

LOL so sorry buddy but that's why they invented water.

Law of Mechanical Repair After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee. Law of Gravity Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible place in the universe. Law of Probability The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act. Law of Random Numbers If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal; someone always answers. Variation Law If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now. Law of the Bath When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone will ring. Law of Close Encounters The probability of meeting someone you know INCREASES dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with. Law of the Result When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, IT WILL!!! Law of Biomechanics The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach. Law of the Theaters & Sports Arenas At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle, always arrive last. They are the ones who will leave their seats several times to go for food, beer, or the toilet and who leave early before the end of the performance or the game is over. The folks in the aisle seats come early, never move once, have long gangly legs or big bellies and stay to the bitter end of the performance. The aisle people also are very surly folk. The Coffee Law As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold Murphy's Law of Lockers If there are only 2 people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers. Law of Physical Surfaces The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet or rug. Law of Logical Argument Anything is possible IF you don't know what you are talking about. Law of Physical Appearance If the clothes fit, they're ugly. Law of Public Speaking -- A CLOSED MOUTH GATHERS NO FEET! Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it OR the store will stop selling it! Doctors' Law If you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there, you'll feel better. But don't make an appointment and you'll stay sick.

Reading the pages of the LA Times this morning in the reading room and ... http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-entertainment-news-updates-may-it-s-been-31-years-where-is-the-top-1495653379-htmlstory.html