Investigation Into Submarine Collision Continues

By Carol Kennedy

Published on September 28, 2005

The investigation is now looking at the angle of the ships before the collision. Maritime law states that when two vessels cross paths the ship to the left of port must yield to the ship on the right or starboard. If the Turkish freighter was within a conical area 135 degrees wide behind the USS Philadelphia, it was overtaking the submarine and would be considered at fault; however, if the Philadelphia was forward of this area, they would have been crossing and considered at fault.

Navy sources say the matter is very complicated as the Philadelphia had to maneuver to avoid the collision and the freight was probably unclear about the nature of the encounter. Some Navy sources predict that the matter will probably end up in admiralty courts soon.

The Navy relieved the captain of the Philadelphia, Cmdr. Stephen Oxholm and two other officers after the incident saying that the crew should have never allowed the freighter to get within striking distance in the first place.

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