# How does a USN destroyer get hit by a container ship?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-usn-destroyer-get-hit-by-a-container-ship/789229>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [June 17, 2017, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-usn-destroyer-get-hit-by-a-container-ship/789229 "2017-06-17T18:18:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-usn-destroyer-get-hit-by-a-container-ship/789229/1 "2017-06-17T18:18:30Z")

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While you were sleeping, a [US Navy destroyer got T-boned by a container ship;](http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-navy-asia-idUSKBN1972SW) 7 sailors are missing, a few are injured, and they’ve managed to limp the ship back to port in Yokosuka, Japan.

So how does a collision like this happen? Yes, it was night, but both ships have radar, and with it they can sense other giant ships for miles around. The destroyer in particular, I would think, should be very, VERY good at knowing what’s around it and when/whether something is approaching.

Any sailors care to speculate on who screwed up and how?

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**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-usn-destroyer-get-hit-by-a-container-ship/789229/2 "2017-06-17T18:23:14Z")

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There is some discussion here:  
[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=828857](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=828857)

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**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-usn-destroyer-get-hit-by-a-container-ship/789229/3 "2017-06-17T19:34:07Z")

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Closed by request due to there being an active discussion elsewhere.