Safety Observation: Navy Aircraft Carrier Close-Quarters Situation

The following safety observation was reported to the Maritime Safety Innovation Lab from an anonymous source:

While at anchor at night, an unsafe act occurred involving a Navy aircraft carrier approaching at a speed of 20 knots. Initially, the vessel appeared to be passing astern; however, when 2 nautical miles off the starboard beam, it unexpectedly altered course directly toward the anchored vessel’s position. Despite multiple attempts to warn the vessel of its proximity via VHF calls and searchlight signals, no acknowledgment or response was received. The Navy vessel turned away at 1 nautical mile and reversed course, averting a potential collision.

Notably, the Navy vessel was not transmitting on AIS (Automatic Identification System) throughout the event, limiting situational awareness and increasing risk to other vessels in the area. The lack of communication or visibility through AlS is concerning, particularly given the operational lessons that should have been internalized following past incidents like the collision involving the USS Truman and a commercial vessel off Port Said, Egypt.

 This incident highlights significant safety and operational concerns. The lack of timely acknowledgment and non-use of AlS undermines the principles of safe navigation and proactive collision avoidance. Furthermore, it raises questions about whether lessons learned from past near-misses and actual incidents have been adequately disseminated across the U.S. Navy fleet.

 To mitigate such risks, it is crucial that lessons from near-misses and past casualties are communicated as widely and promptly as possible. The implementation of AIS, coupled with adherence to communication protocols, would enhance transparency and situational awareness, minimizing the likelihood of similar occurrences. It is recommended that this event be reported and reviewed to reinforce the importance of compliance with established navigational safety standards and to ensure the well-being of all vessels operating in shared maritime environments.