BoatBanter.com - View Single Post - A Look At Officer Training In The US Navy and Merchant Marine

Keyser Soze

On 8/27/17 4:17 AM, wrote:
On Sat, 26 Aug 2017 19:35:52 -0400,
wrote:

Not reporting, or not following up, equipment shortcomings would
certainly fall into the category of an organizational issue. Not
knowing what to do on watch is mostly a training and job performance
issue unless more senior people lnowingly let it happen.

I was thinking more along the lines of a junior watch keeper not
raising or escalating a potential hazard for fear of being rebuked.

I suspect it is just the over dependence on the technology along with
more than a little arrogance. The officers may be just thinking "we
are the US navy and get the hell out of our way".
I am sure in both cases they came up with some technicality where they
thought they had the right of way. I believe both involved a course
change that did not involve a negotiated pass. Maybe they missed that
part where you still have the obligation to maneuver to avoid
collision, no matter who is legally "privileged" or "burdened". It is
clear that a nimble destroyer should be able to dodge a merchant shi
in open water.
I know that even in my little boat I find myself taking evasive
maneuvers at times when I am clearly the stand on vessel. My plan is I
get myself in a place where I can't get hit, even if they try because
that is what it looks like they are trying to do sometimes.

I do the same. I figure if a collision is possible, then get the hell
out of the way. But that's not so easy on a large ship in crowded areas.
I'm still wondering what is wrong with the radar or radar operators or
the watch officers who ignore the reports.