UPDATE: *THE COLLISION OF THE “ACX CRYSTAL” A CONTAINER SHIP, registered to the Philippines and the Destroyer USS Fitzgerald was the fault of the United States. And, the Fitzgerald is currently under repair at Ingalls Ship Yard in Mississippi.

ACX Crystal a container ship and registered to the Philippines; a county I have visited as a Naval Petty Officer; was the fault of the U. S.Ship as the over 700 foot long container ship turned around and then was T-Boned the USS Fitzgerald.

I was in the United States Navy from 1973 to 1979 and Honorably Discharged. As, an Enlisted Second Class Petty Officer.

To, hear of a ship of the same Fleet 7  that I once was attached too is concerning at best to me as the approximate location of the collision was in line with my work space.  Except, I was on an Aircraft Carrier the United States Ship Kitty Hawk CV-63 and attached to a Carrier Early Warning squadron Command; “Hawkeye” VAW-122 out of Norfolk, VA.

First, let me say that I grief for the families, friends, loved once and dead and missing of the U. S. Navy ship Destroyer Fitzgerald.

However, the fact that there is an exclusionary zone of 200 feet around any U. S. Ship, (This, excludes any ship or foreigner from entering 200 feet zone.) , watches posted and the worlds highest technologies such are satellite global positioning, radar and sonar is difficult for me to swallow that is was not an issue of “Dereliction of Duty” on someones part.

Hat’s off, to the crew and officer’s of the USS Fitzgerald that kept the ship form sinking “BRAVO ZULU” (Bravo Zulu, mean “Well Done” in Naval terms.)  I once got one of these from my command.  But, this is i not about me.

Once again, it sadden’s my heart to hear of the grief and suffering of so many of both ships.

A, moment of “SILENCE”; please.