Report: US warship was warned of collision

A U.S. warship that collided with a container vessel earlier this month was reportedly warned ahead of the collision.

An incident report by the ACX Crystal’s captain said the Philippine cargo ship flashed lights warning the USS Fitzgerald that it was on course to cross its path, Reuters reported.

The container vessel attempted to get out of the path of the warship but hit it about 10 minutes later, according to a copy of Captain Ronald Advincula’s report to Japanese ship owner Dainichi Investment Corporation that was seen by the news service.

{mosads}The incident happened earlier this month, about 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka, Japan.

It killed seven U.S. sailors.

There are several investigations into the incident, according to Reuters.

Those investigations include two internal hearings by the U.S. Navy and a probe by the United States Coast Guard in addition to investigations by the Japan Transport Safety Board, the Japanese Coast Guard and the Philippine government.

Following the incident, Adm. Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, said that “right now we are focused on two things: the safety of the ship and the well-being of the Sailors.

“We thank our Japanese partners for their assistance,” he said in a statement after the collision.