The former commanding officer and three unidentified junior officers (JOs) of the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) are set to appear at hearings in Washington, D.C., in May, the Navy announced in a media release April 30. Cmdr. Bryce Benson was relieved of command in August following a June 2017 collision off the coast of Tokyo with a Philippine-flagged container ship. Seven sailors died. Benson is scheduled to appear at an Article 32 hearing May 21. The hearing will determine whether there is enough evidence to send Benson to court-martial on charges that include negligent homicide. One JO is scheduled for arraignment, and entry of pleas, at a special court-martial May 8. Two others have Article 32 hearings May 9, according to the release. The investigation concluded that the collision was caused by ineffective watch-standing and failure on the part of the bridge crew to react in a timely manner and pull the ship off its collision course. Benson's hearing will determine whether there is enough evidence to send the former CO to court-martial on charges that include negligent homicide. (Source: Military.com 04/30/18) Gulf Coast Note: Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., has been awarded multiple contracts to repair and make upgrades to the USS Fitzgerald.
Shipbuilding and maritime related news from the Central Gulf Coast region
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Fitz collision hearing dates set
The former commanding officer and three unidentified junior officers (JOs) of the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) are set to appear at hearings in Washington, D.C., in May, the Navy announced in a media release April 30. Cmdr. Bryce Benson was relieved of command in August following a June 2017 collision off the coast of Tokyo with a Philippine-flagged container ship. Seven sailors died. Benson is scheduled to appear at an Article 32 hearing May 21. The hearing will determine whether there is enough evidence to send Benson to court-martial on charges that include negligent homicide. One JO is scheduled for arraignment, and entry of pleas, at a special court-martial May 8. Two others have Article 32 hearings May 9, according to the release. The investigation concluded that the collision was caused by ineffective watch-standing and failure on the part of the bridge crew to react in a timely manner and pull the ship off its collision course. Benson's hearing will determine whether there is enough evidence to send the former CO to court-martial on charges that include negligent homicide. (Source: Military.com 04/30/18) Gulf Coast Note: Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., has been awarded multiple contracts to repair and make upgrades to the USS Fitzgerald.
