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A former commander of the USS John S. McCain pleaded guilty Friday to dereliction of duty when the destroyer collided with a commercial tanker, killing 10 people and injuring five in the Straits of Singapore last August.
Cmdr. Alfredo Sanchez, who has served in the Navy for more than 20 years, testified during a special court-martial at the Washington Navy Yard, Stars and Stripes reported.
“I am ultimately responsible and stand accountable,” Sanchez said. “I will forever question my decisions that contributed to this tragic event.”
Per disciplinary proceedings, Sanchez agreed to retire from service, forfeit $6,000 in wages, and was issued a letter of reprimand.
Sanchez claimed responsibility for the deadly collision. He said had failed to put a well-rested, well-trained crew in place to steer the destroyer into the Straits.
The former commander, who was immediately reassigned after the collision, initially faced negligent homicide charges, CBS News reported.
According to Sanchez, an 18-year-old undertrained helmsman had been navigating the destroyer, known as "Big Bad John," leading up to the collision.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 28 2018, @06:09PM (2 children)
If there is no electricity, then that means no radio and no movement. Navigation is pointless.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Monday May 28 2018, @11:29PM (1 child)
You are mistaken. The Captain's gig, the whaleboat, and the life rafts can all move. The navigator still needs to be able to tell them which way to move.
I've forgotten the proper form of the abandon ship message. Something like, "the nearest land bears 260 degrees magnetic north, at 58 nautical miles, the nearest FRIENDLY land bears 230 degrees magnetic north at 275 nautical miles". I don't have it exactly right, but it's close enough to get the idea. The announcement goes on to note the sea conditions, wind speed and direction, and the water current.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 29 2018, @03:38AM
Anything that moves in a non-trivial manner can provide electricity for navigational equipment.
If you're just paddling, the only navigation you need is to point at a visible rescue ship or island. The energy you'd spend on serious paddling will cause you to use up your supplies of food and water. Humans who paddle across the ocean are right up there with arctic explorers, ultramarathon runners, and Everest climbers.