USS Fitzgerald, which was struck by a container vessel in Japanese waters on June 17th, leading to the death of seven sailors and injury to the commander, failed to respond to warning signals or to take evasive action according to Ronald Advincula, the Filipino captain of cargo ship ACX Crystal, reports Reuters, which said that it was unable to verify any of the captain’s claims. ACX Crystal’s captain said that the vessel had signalled with flashing lights after the Fitzgerald suddenly set on to a course to cross its path. The container ship steered hard to starboard in an attempt to avoid USS Fitzgerald, but struck it 10 minutes later at 1:30 a.m., according to a copy of Captain Advincula’s report to Japanese ship owner Dainichi Investment Corporation that was seen by Reuters.