How many war ships

[James Curry]

#30 Have you seen the footage on TV my money says they will blame the engineers vessel went astern instead of ahead, looks like we are in for another rear admiral. I wonder did they do a D&A test to see if Mr Alcohol played a roll in that wee mishap.

[vic mcclymont]

Wonder is she is Bridge control, and it went wrong.
Happened on Clan Ranald, give a slow ahead movement, telegraph indicated correct movement, bridge control, remained on full ahead.
Vic.

[James Curry]

Pretty sure a vessel that size would have been bridge control.
Not the first time this RN ship has been involved in a collision (HMS Chiddingfold) she was involved in a similar incident in the same port in 2021. She hit HMS Penzance that time causing £100K damage(Daily Mail)

HMS Chiddingfold is coming up to her 40th birthday

[John Arton]

My first ship was a 1966 built tanker, 66000 dwt. It was Japanese built with quite a lot of automation, bridge control, engine room data logger , cargo control room with cargo valve and cargo pump control.
We were berthing, fully laden, at Tranmere oil terminal. I was on the wheel and all the way up the Mersey the captain had been extolling the benefits of bridge control to the pilot. On approach to Tranmere we were to swing in order to berth port side to, we had got half way through the swing and the pilot ordered full astern to halt ahead movement and use transverse thrust to continue the swing. The 2nd mate turned the bridge control knob through stop to full astern and the main engine duly followed the bridge control order. After a time ahead movement had halted, the starboard swing was going well and astern movement was building up. The pilot ordered stop engine's in preparation for giving an ahead movement with helm to starboard on a approach to the berth. The 2nd mate put the bridge control to stop but the engine kept going astern. By this time we were rapidly building up astern movement and heading for the opposite bank. The captain and pilot were getting very concerned about the astern movement and the engine not stopping, a frantic call to the engine control room was answered by the chief engineer, "chief, the engine hasn't stopped" (2nd mate), "well what do you want me to do about it"(chief engineer), "stop the bloody thing"(2nd mate). Quick changeover to engine room control, frantic ahead movement and with the assistance of 6 tugs we eventually managed to berth safely despite giving the mooring gang on the bow dolphin as we got to within feet of it before swinging clear.
Rgds
J.A

[James Curry]

I have been on plenty of Bridge control operated ships, not going down the oil and water route here but on more than one ocassion the bridge have been advised , two choices a toot on the whistle or one more start, some seem to think they had an endless supply of instant compressed air.
Bibby lines LPG carrier Lincolnshire 1972 build came out as Bridge Control. Never worked anytime I was on her. At times she was a bitch to even go astern.
We had some great masters on her during my time, they all knew how contrary she could and knew how to handle her, give yourself plenty of room and plenty of time , no rush get her alongside safely and use the tugs that is what they are for.