The naval ship collision

The maritime conundrum. We have many more U.S. Navy warships colliding so far this year, than in recent years (e.g., 0 total in all of recent years). Such as an oil tanker with USS John S. McCain, shown below, where near Singapore and Malaysia 10 sailors have gone missing and a handful were injured. Seafaring vessel congestion is also high, but not an excuse since that is occurring on the other side of the globe!  Accidents not involving another ship are also generally rising, providing an uneasy backdrop.  There are some data that can be studied about the history of ship locations, accidents, etc (and may be reused in later analysis).  But ultimately it can't lead to a definitive conclusion about why these naval ships are suddenly clashing out of the blue.  Just spurious correlations at best, predominantly when looking at partial year data and a small sample of U.S. naval ships (albeit a high fraction of the naval ships in the area). 

This striking topic was convincingly brought to my attention by clever Harvard friend, Ilanit Allen.  So what we do know regardless is there needs to be a greater safety system and coordination among countries.  Starting with those clustered around Europe, as well as separately those clustered in the South Asian waters.  This would moderate accidents in general, which during peace time is what we care about.  Not just among the several U.S. naval ships that have collided so far this year.  Last, given the Cold War atmosphere the odd pattern involving these latter crafts in that unfriendly region does raise the suspicion of nefarious hacks.