USS Chancellorsville and Russian Admiral Vinogradov almost collided at a close distance. (Image via: BBC)

US & Russia Point at Each Other for Near-Death Ship Collision

WASHINGTON - No one wants to admit the blame. On Friday (7/6), while operating in the Philippines Sea, US guided missile cruiser Chancellorsville just passed Russian destroyer Admiral Vinogradov at a narrow distance: 50 meters. The passing almost ended up in collision as the things almost turn ugly. Fortunately, the collision did not happen and 2 ships are sailing smooth, reported Navy Commander Clay Doss.

Nonetheless, the incident poked the 2 countries, known for being an adversary to each other since the Cold War.

US, represented by Acting Defense Secretary, Patrick Shanahan, promised the media that the US government would file a diplomatic complaint regarding the encounter. In addition, while claiming that the encounter would not hinder US naval operations, US military wants to talk with Russian military.

The witness of the episode was an American helicopter which intended to land on the Chancellorsville, when they saw the Russian destroyer ship accelerated from behind to close the distance until 15-30 meters.

US 7th Fleet also stated that the close encounter put all the crews from both ships at stake. The USS Chancellorsville had to reverse all the engine to prevent the collision that would take living tolls. They added that Russian’s action was risky and unprofessional, according to International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGs), Rules of the Road, and of course, customs and regulations of the maritime.

Russian navy did not want to accept all the blame by themselves. They accused USS Chancellorsville of making a dangerous turn to cross the Vinogradov. The turn was as close as 50 meters. In exchange, the Russian crews sent radio message against the action.

What was weird was the difference in locations: US stated that the incident occurred at Philippines Sea, while Russia stated East China Sea. No matter what, the tension between US and Russia intensifies as the countries threw rocks at each other.

Source: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/176034/us-russia-blame-each-other-as-ships-nearly-collide-in-ph-sea