U.S., Russia blame each other as ships nearly collide in Asia

Burning BushToday  07:32 am JST

Maritime rules 101:

Ships on Starboard have right of way.

These are international waters and maritime rules of right of way apply.

Doesn't apply to overtaking another ship. The Russian vessel is moving faster than the U.S.

I have fond memories of similar “close calls” with Soviet ships. Looks like the Cold War is back on again.

Video doesn't lie. The Russian ship was overtaking the US ship. Don't the rules of the road put the collision avoidance responsibility on the Russians in this case? Either way, it's clear the Russian initiated the incident.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rEMVfJVUsY

There is no question who is at fault here. First, the overtaking ship has the responsibility to yield. But more importantly, any ship conducting air operations always has the right away because it requires a steady speed and course.

Someone tell me how the American ship would suddenly veer into the Russian ship while it had a helicopter trying to land? That wouldn't end well for the helicopter crew.

Anyone who tries to side with the Russians on this one is delusional.

Russia is getting bolder with their antics and what happens when someone gets killed?

Every vessel (power or sail) that is overtaking must keep well clear of the over taking vessel. You are overtaking if you are approaching another vessel anywhere in a 135 degree sector at its stern.

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.

Nice video CrazyJoe.

https://maritime.college/Boating-Rules-National-Maritime-College.php

There aren't many rules. Russia is in the wrong, this time, and the video proves it.

When asked about the incident, President Trump said "You know there are some really fine sailors out there on both sides and we should not rush to judgement as to who was to blame."

Looks like a miscalculation. The US ship's wake is straight and relatively calm, until a cloud of foam where she reverses her engines.

The Russian wake is aggressive, as if they were in a big hurry to get somewhere, (where?) and instead of slipping in front across the US ship's bow, she has suddenly decided to turn hard a-starboard and still at that speed, it looks.

Just like cars, the ship behind has the responsibility to avoid the ship in front that's being overtaken

@joeintokyo

where do you get that from? The Chancellorsville was being overtaken and conducting critical air operations. Two things that give it the right of way.

From the wakes, it appears the Russians were on a straight course and, if the Americans were actually conducting critical operations, could have simply asked the Russians for co-operation. Did they do this? AND, the Russian course approached the starboard side of the American ship which means according to the international rules of the sea that the Russians HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY.

If you watch any of the video of the incident it is clear the Russians were NOT on a straight course. The picture leading the article shows a turn in the Russian wake. And since the Russians were overtaking the Americans it means according to the international rules of the sea that the Americans HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY.

https://ecolregs.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=55&Itemid=388&lang=en

http://www.professionalmariner.com/August-2013/Overtaking-or-crossing-Dont-assume-what-other-ship-will-do/

I believe Ukraine is still trying to get their seamen and ship back from Russian held Crimea.

russia instigating? nooooo waaaay they NEVER do that

Old games still being played.

Well, there definitely is a concerted effort to blame the Russian Captain for an incident in which the American ship failed to obey the law (yes, lots of 'experts' come up with ways to transfer the right of way to the American ship, but how many of them have experience as the person in charge of a powered vessel in international waters?)

I have experience on the bridge of powered vessels in international waters and the ColRegs are clear. The overtaking ship is the give way vessel, in this case the Russians.

And if you want to say there is a question about whether the Russians where still the overtaking vessel, well ColReg 13 addresses that in section 'c':

(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she is overtaking another, she shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly

Oh, and the overhead shots the American government released show that the Russian ship was on a converging course to the American ship

The shots clearly show the Russian is aft of the American and gaining, hence they were overtaking. The video released taken from the bridge wing of the American vessel shows it even better. The Russian vessel was behind the American and had to catch up - thus overtake - the American.

Guess some ship captains didn't get the memo that Putin and Trump are BFFs!

Both ships were under control that's why at least more than 150 feet separated them.

Looks like both captains were enjoying the show.

Which is it?

An American helicopter was preparing to land on the Chancellorsville, which was traveling on a steady course, when the Russian destroyer, traveling behind the U.S. ship, started moving faster and approached as close as 15-30 meters, the 7th Fleet said in a statement.

"We consider Russia's actions during this interaction as unsafe and unprofessional and not in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), 'Rules of the Road,' and internationally recognized maritime customs," the statement said.

Or

The Russian military said in a statement that the U.S. cruiser "suddenly changed direction and crossed the path of Admiral Vinogradov just 50 meters away," forcing the crew of the Russian ship to make a quick maneuver to avoid a collision. It said its navy sent a radio message in protest.

Video suggests that the Russian version of what happened is bogus. It appears that the Russian captain was simply harrassing a western warship.

Perhaps a "Technology Assisted" near miss!

@joeintokyo

I admit, I'm no expert, but from the wake trail of the Admiral Vinogradov, it looks like the Admiral Vinogradov was traveling in a straight line, approaching the starboard side of the USS Chancellorsville.

'Converging' from behind is not converging, it is overtaking. The video taken aboard the Chancellorsville clearly shows the Russian ship coming up from the rear. In that case it does not matter which side they were on.

@Richardpearce

the Russian ship was on a converging course to the American ship,

from behind. That is not converging, it is overtaking. Russians were wrong on every level.

The only course change by the Russian ship in evidence from the longer timeframe was it changing course to avoid the collision with the reckless American ship.

Actually, there are clear images showing the Russian ship's wake being disturbed and not straight, indicating what looks like they made a sudden beeline for the Chancellorsville. Here's a link.

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2019/06/07/both-russia-and-us-point-fingers-after-warships-almost-collide/

But the thing I want you to consider is why the American Captain risked the life of his entire crew rather than yeild way.

As opposed to the Russian captain doing the same to avoid yielding to the American ship? Come on man, stop making excuses for the Russians.

Haha I just realized the picture in my link I'm referring to is the same one as this article used, only zoomed out more so you can actually see the wakes better. Regardless, it's crystal clear that the Russians were screwing around.

William Bjornson,

So quick to blame Trump, so quick to be ashamed.

One side is lying. Or are both sides lying?

Quote: "The U.S. said the incident happened in the Philippine Sea, while the Russians said it was in the East China Sea."

Hmm...Which one should I choose to keep the South China and E. China Sea free and the airspace over them open to travel and commerce?

China? Russia? The U.S.?

Hmm...That's such a difficult choice, isn't it?

Our tweeter-in-chief will send them off a blistering missive, and show them what's-what!

Some Russians were sunbathing diring the incident:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QeNcKRkvDY

Not exactly the behavior one expect from the crew that is planning a near collision.

Well, there definitely is a concerted effort to blame the Russian Captain for an incident in which the American ship failed to obey the law (yes, lots of 'experts' come up with ways to transfer the right of way to the American ship, but how many of them have experience as the person in charge of a powered vessel in international waters?)

But the thing I want you to consider is why the American Captain risked the life of his entire crew rather than yeild way. Just think how his 'Commander in Chief' would have reacted to how Fox would have played such an act irregardless of the legalities. And does anyone imagine the career officers standing up to Trump, given their willingness to cave on the issue of transgender military personnel?

And what happens in the same sort of situation if the ship with right of way is Iranian, and it's Captain is too proud, or stubborn, or tired of American bullying to accept another instance?

(And how do you think Trump is going to react when Iran's conventional weapons start destroying American bases, and devastating the American naval presence, in the region? Or if the Iranians demand for backing down from his nuclear ultimatum is the ending of America arming its antidemocratic regimes in the region, including the last surviving Apartheid regime?)

Is this the same 7th Fleet that had 5 collisions last year? Plus a near collision with a Chinese ship? I would say that they are a bit lacking in credibility when they accuse other people of acting in an unsafe manner.

Oh, and the overhead shots the American government released show that the Russian ship was on a converging course to the American ship, which ISN'T an overtaking situation, but a converging course situation, where the right of way belongs to the ship approaching the convergence from the right. The only course change by the Russian ship in evidence from the longer timeframe was it changing course to avoid the collision with the reckless American ship.

Russia should not let the US intimidate it. The US has most of the globe bluffed, intimidated, including the so-called Western Power (Western Lapdogs) and Russia, China and NK should not let themselves be intimidated by US bullying.

Ever see two big over muscled yokels walking toward each other deliberately slam sholders rather than each just shift the slightest amount to avoid contact? Pure testicular twitting of brainstems suddenly devoid of intellect or humanity reflexively 'proving' to a world of self-doubt one's 'masculinity' (fear of homosexuality). The U.S. Navy has on way too many occasions proven beyond a doubt that what they say has no credibility whereas Russian reports of Russian activity seem to be largely congruent with actual events. From the wakes, it appears the Russians were on a straight course and, if the Americans were actually conducting critical operations, could have simply asked the Russians for co-operation. Did they do this? AND, the Russian course approached the starboard side of the American ship which means according to the international rules of the sea that the Russians HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY. And the U.S. Navy once again proves their credibility with this whining and pouting about how rude the Russians are when it is they who have violated the rules. Liars. How trumpish. I'm ashamed.

It’s easy to avoid a collision-use a torpedo!

Russia is getting bolder with their antics and what happens when someone gets killed?

Yeah. Next thing you know they will be sending Russian military to stations next to US borders, and destabilizing US neighboring countries to install anti-US governments, launching fake nerve gas attacks meant to frame US clients, and placing their troops in 100 countries around he world to hem the US in.

Kind of like the US does.