Longer clip of the action from USNI
USNI had this pretty insightful piece beyond the Nelson Muntz “HaHa!” of the situation : https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2025/august/chinese-collision-sea-raises-important-questions
… There is, of course, a seamanship aspect. The uninitiated might ask, “How could two ships without apparent malfunctions collide in broad daylight?” Those who have been involved in close-quarters maneuvering—which in this case involved at least three vessels from three different services of two countries—understand all too well how such a situation can arise. …
From a quick google, the cutter apparently was the one at fault : https://www.boatus.org/study-guide/navigation/rules
The Crossing Rule
Both International and Inland Rules state that when two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her starboard side (the give-way vessel) must keep out of the way.
USS Fitzgerald and USS McCain had the excuse of an exhausted crew late at night.
USS Connecticut had the excuse of sailing underwater and inaccurate charts.
I never tried driving / sailing a ship personally, but I’ve driven long enough to know “situational awareness” is VERY important.
… One wonders about the Chinese command-and-control structure for this operation. Specifically, what was the role of the political officer(s) assigned to the operation? On Chinese warships, the commanding officers serve side-by-side with political commissars to achieve both military and political objectives. Is this a case in which the political desire exceeded the shiphandling competence of those involved? How did personalities, egos, and human desires come into play? Were there two separate chains of command for the operation—one PLAN and one CCG—or was one of the ships assigned as on-scene commander for both? How will the Chinese Communist Party react to this incident? If it relieves the commanding officers, that may send a message of restraint and risk aversion. If it does not relieve them, will that signal that Beijing accepts incompetence in the furtherance of political objectives, and perhaps increase the risk of dangerous shiphandling and future such incidents? …
…interesting questions indeed… and I hope intelligently contributes to the conversation.
Regards
