The USS Gonzalez DDG66 Grounding

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The USS Gonzalez (DDG-66)Grounding

• 12 November 1996

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USS GONZALES (DDG-66) CASE STUDY
120828QNOV96
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The USS Gonzalez (DDG-66)

• New Arleigh Burke Destroyer
• Just completed liberty call at St. Maartens, N.A.
• Resuming Combat Systems Qualification Testing

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The Pre-Underway Brief

• Held early Sunday morning
• Well below accepted standards
• Loss of watch bill integrity
• Not all shoal water briefed
• Proselyte Reef not highlighted on chart

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Getting Underway

• First Sea and Anchor Detail from Anchor not
  training related
• Watch stationed at 0715 for 0745 Underway
• Winds from the East
• CHT barge and Accommodation Ladder problems
• Actual Underway 0818

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12 November 1996 0800
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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

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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.

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USS GONZALES CASE STUDY LESSONS LEARNED

• Change the Plan, Increase the Risk
• Prior planning is key to ORM.
• Know where youre going.
• Assertive watchstanding is key.
• When in doubt, stop the ship.
• 10M Damages
• Significant repairs to sonar dome.
• Repairs to propeller shafts.

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Questions ?