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The USS Gonzalez (DDG-66) Grounding. 12 November 1996. USS GONZALES (DDG-66) CASE STUDY. 120828QNOV96. The USS Gonzalez (DDG-66). New Arleigh Burke Destroyer Crew Size Just completed liberty call at St. Martens, N.A. Resuming Combat Systems Qualification Testing. The Pre-Underway Brief.
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The USS Gonzalez (DDG-66)Grounding 12 November 1996
USS GONZALES (DDG-66) CASE STUDY 120828QNOV96
The USS Gonzalez (DDG-66) • New Arleigh Burke Destroyer • Crew Size • Just completed liberty call at St. Martens, N.A. • Resuming Combat Systems Qualification Testing
The Pre-Underway Brief • Held early Sunday morning • Well below accepted standards • Loss of watchbill integrity • Not all shoal water briefed • Proselyte Reef not highlighted on chart
Getting Underway • First Sea and Anchor Detail from Anchor not training related • Watch stationed at 0715 for 0800 Underway • Winds from the East • CHT problems • Actual Underway: 0818
Underway • Wind • Watch stationed at 0715 for 0800 Underway • CHT problems • Actual Underway: 0818
The Grounding • Ship grounds on Proselyte Reef at 0828 • Entire Bridge team distracted • Poor communications with CIC • No involvement by CIC Watch Officer • Charts not updated • Charts not approved by CO
The Results • CO relieved for cause. Issued a punitive letter of reprimand. • NAV relieved for cause. Issued a punitive letter of reprimand. • OOD issued a punitive letter of reprimand. • XO, SWO, CICWO issued non-punitive letters of reprimand.
USS GONZALES CASE STUDY LESSONS LEARNED • “Change the Plan, Increase the Risk” • Prior planning is key to ORM. • Know where you’re going. • Assertive watchstanding is key. • When in doubt, stop the ship. • $10M Damages • Significant repairs to sonar dome. • Repairs to propeller shafts.