The ship the aircraft carrier may have hit had left the Suez Canal. The aircraft carrier was in an area full of ships waiting to enter the Suez Canal.
It doesn't seem that long ago, but in 2017 the USS Fitzgerald ran into a cargo ship 90 miles from Tokyo.
As an example, each dot and arrow represents a ship right now:
February 14, 2025, 05:55 AM
92fstech
So if ISIS or Al Qaeda wanted to sink/severely damage a multi-million dollar US Navy aircraft carrier with thousands of US service men aboard, all they'd have to do is buy an old derelict merchant vessel, fill it with explosives, and wait for a carrier to transit the canal? I know it's a long way around, but transiting via that route seems like a huge risk, especially in that part of the world right now.
February 14, 2025, 08:46 AM
nhtagmember
^^^
Multi-million might buy the cheap airframe but the carrier itself is multi-billion.
But point taken. Remember what happened to shipping when the Evergreen ran aground. Think what would happen if a carrier sank.
February 14, 2025, 08:54 AM
tacfoley
92fstech said it all.
February 14, 2025, 09:59 AM
trapper189
Al Qaeda had to borrow airplanes for 9/11. Do they have money to buy a ship?
I’m assuming transiting the Suez Canal is not simply a matter of just showing up, paying the money, and getting in line. I’d also assume the only ships allowed in while the US Navy is also transiting the canal would be well known and vetted vessels.
February 14, 2025, 10:00 AM
HRK
Some kind of terrorist attack was actually was my second thought, right after how the hell does a top level highly protected asset like a Carrier let any ship withing a mile without knowing it...
Did they put the Captain in charge that was photographed shooting a rifle with the scope backwards? Perhaps the Sub Captain that ran into an underwater mountain?
February 14, 2025, 11:30 AM
92fstech
quote:
Originally posted by nhtagmember: ^^^
Multi-million might buy the cheap airframe but the carrier itself is multi-billion.
But point taken. Remember what happened to shipping when the Evergreen ran aground. Think what would happen if a carrier sank.
I swear I typed billion. Freaking autocorrect or my fat fingers, one or the other.
February 14, 2025, 11:46 AM
nhtagmember
million ... billion
its all more than I have
February 14, 2025, 11:52 AM
Sig2340
quote:
Originally posted by nhtagmember:
million ... billion
Soon you're talking real money.
Nice is overrated
"It's every freedom-loving individual's duty to lie to the government." Airsoftguy, June 29, 2018
“The bow of bulker MV Bekitas-M collided with the starboard quarter of Truman, leaving a small gash in the side of the carrier above the waterline and piercing the hull, according to two Navy officials.
Additionally, the Navy released a photo on Friday showing damage to a sponson to the rear of the starboard aircraft elevator that USNI News understands is in addition to damage to the ship further aft.“
The starboard damage on the aircraft carrier causes me to wonder what the rules of the road are for Naval vessels and large ships are in areas like this.
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February 14, 2025, 05:21 PM
wrightd
Cell phones should not be allowed in any of the spaces related to the functions that prevent those types of accidents.
Tho I'm not qualified to weigh in, it seems that as cell phones contribute to auto accidents, it may not be a big leap to assume similar negative impacts at sea.
And of course, picking personnel who are not the best qualified for the jobs.
Lover of the US Constitution Wile E. Coyote School of DIY Disaster
February 14, 2025, 06:02 PM
Tn226
quote:
Originally posted by 92fstech: So if ISIS or Al Qaeda wanted to sink/severely damage a multi-million dollar US Navy aircraft carrier with thousands of US service men aboard, all they'd have to do is buy an old derelict merchant vessel, fill it with explosives, and wait for a carrier to transit the canal?
They wouldn’t even have to do that. There would be plenty of opportunity to do damage from shore.
I was on the USS Intrepid when we transited the canal (for the second time) the night before the 1967 war. We were the lead ship in the convoy. Most of the rest of it was stuck until canal reopened in 1975. An Egyptian sub followed us the entire trip. We were told the very last thing anybody wanted was an American carrier stuck in the canal. We barely fit. New carriers would be juicy, slow moving targets.
February 14, 2025, 10:47 PM
corsair
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that choke-points like transiting canals and straits, leave high-value ships like aircraft carriers in a very vulnerable position. Hence, among the handful of reasons why warships are prioritized when going through these narrow areas.
Most American's have little perspective about these maritime issues, thankfully channels like What's Going on with Shipping, are able to provide some insight...as Sal points out, the volume of ship traffic and the congestion around these waterways are extremely challenging for navigation teams onboard ship. Unfortunately, the USN isn't noted for their ship handling acumen and commercial vessels are notorious for over-using their auto-pilot.
February 15, 2025, 03:35 AM
CQB60
They’ll be plenty of time to buff that out after this deployment as old Harry is scheduled for her midlife refueling cycle when she returns so…
______________________________________________ Life is short. It’s shorter with the wrong gun…
February 18, 2025, 03:29 AM
corsair
The graphics provide A LOT of perspective...this could've been so much worse.
From the picture linked above: “Not to scale! Does not represent exact angle of strike; orientation of freighter approximate Conceptual view of collision”