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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ORCUS DEMENS" data-source="post: 182854" data-attributes="member: 1779"><p>Yes tankers take miles to turn. Newton's law, a body in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted upon by other forces. The Straits of Malaca are the busiest waterway in the world. Wild and Free is correct in his description. When I was deployed to sixth fleet on a destroyer, I had the pleasure of a high speed (20+ Knots through the Straits of Messina (not as busy), in the dead of night, total EMcon (No radar)! I wore my life jacket the whole time. Let me tell you, keeping a visual track of local shipping was a nightmare. If the McCain had steering trouble immediately prior to the collision the tanker would have had a hard time avoiding the collision. Just speculating here but the McCain might have drifted to port which put it in the tanker's path. If the steering went out suddenly, it can be manually operated from after steering ( picture two sailors and hand cranks). This may take several minutes to get someone there and start changing course. In tight quarters that may be the difference between safe passage and  what took place. The inquiry will take months if not a year before responsibility is placed. Even if the McCain is found not at fault, count the skipper, Ex O and watch standers as receiving a court martial/ discharge. Not a pleasant end to a career.</p></blockquote><p></p>