Saw the pictures of the USS Fitzgerald and the merchant container ship
that were involved in a collision.

The bow of the merchant ship obviously hit the destroyer on it's
starboard side. Maritime rules say (if memory serves) a powered vessel
crossing from right to left is the "stand on" vessel and the other is
the "give way" vessel and is required to turn to starboard and pass
astern of the other, stop or take other evasive action to avoid a collision.


National Maritime College Rule:

"When two power-driven vessels are in crossing situation on a collision
course, give way to the vessel to starboard (right).The give way vessel
must take early and obvious action to avoid a collision by either
stopping or altering course to starboard."

Based on the damage to the merchant ship's bow and the damage to the
destroyer's starboard side, it appears the destroyer tried to cut across
the bow of the merchant ship. There may have been other factors
obviously, like other vessels in the area.




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