TODAY
21 August 2017
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- Spate of U.S. Naval Collisions a Sign of Over-reliance on Technology: Experts
Spate of U.S. Naval Collisions a Sign of Over-reliance on Technology: Experts
A recent spate of accidents involving American warships in Asian waters has cast the spotlight on the world’s most advanced navy, with experts saying that advanced radar systems count for little should operators come up short in basic seamanship and navigation.
“My guess is that it was human error at work, as it was with the previous accidents,” Associate Professor Bernard Loo, a military expert at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), told TODAY, referring to the collision between USS John S McCain and a commercial vessel on Monday (Aug 21).
He said an over-reliance on technology — a concern that has been raised in the United States defence community recently — has led to a concomitant decline in basic seamanship and other competencies essential for accident-free maritime operations.
The blame should, however, not be apportioned entirely to the U.S. warships involved in the recent accidents, said former naval officer Chang Jun Yan. “In such collisions, both parties are responsible, and this is a point often overlooked in previous commentaries regarding the USS Fitzgerald,” he said. “Much has been made of the Fitzgerald being the vessel that should give way to the ACX Crystal, but the latter also needs to take appropriate action to avoid collision,” added Mr Chang, who is an associate research fellow at RSIS.
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Last updated on 28/08/2017
