USS McCain Destroyer Collides with Merchant Ship 10 Sailors Missing
USS McCain
A search and rescue mission is underway, the Navy says, after the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain collided with a merchant's vessel on Monday.
"The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) was involved in a collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while underway east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore," the Navy said in a statement.
Ten sailors are missing and another five are injured.
The collision was reported at 6:24 a.m. local time, on a routine visit to a Singapore port. "The ship is sailing under its own power and heading to port," the statement reads.
Early investigation shows the destroyer "sustained damage to her port side aft," the Navy adds. It's unclear whether the Alnic MC, an oil and chemical tanker, or its crew were affected by the crash.
The Navy said USS America aircraft were assisting, in addition to the Singaporean tugboats and naval and coast guard vessels in the area.
It's the second accident involving a Navy ship and a cargo ship in recent months, after another destroyer collision in June killed seven sailors. After an investigation into the incident, the Navy relieved two of the ship's senior leaders last week due to inadequate leadership, while commending the crew. NPR
A file image of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain. Picture: AFP A US navy guided-missile destroyer is fighting flooding and a sea search has been mounted for ten missing sailors following a collision with an oil tanker off the coast of Singapore earlier today, the second collision involving a US warship in as many months.
The Navy’s 7th Fleet command said the USS John S McCain collided with the Liberian-flagged merchant vessel Alnic MC around 5.24am (AEST 07.24am) as it headed to Singapore for a port visit.
The accident occurred near the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s busiest and most congested shipping lanes.
Five sailors were also injured in the collision, the US Navy said in a statement.
“Four of the injured were medically evacuated by a Republic of Singapore Navy Puma helicopter to a hospital in Singapore for non-life threatening injuries. The fifth injured Sailor does not require further medical attention,” the statement said.
Search and rescue efforts are now underway for the missing sailors with helicopters and surveillance aircraft deployed from the amphibious assault ship USS America. Singapore and Malaysia have also sent ships and aircraft to the area to join the effort.
Ten sailors are missing and five injured after the McCain collided with a tanker east of Singapore.
A US Navy official told CNN the USS John S McCain had experienced a loss of steering before the collision with the 30,000 ton, 600-foot long oil tanker but was steaming under its own power to port despite limited propulsion and electrical power.
Initial reports indicate the US ship sustained damage to its rear left side.
Just last week the US Navy took disciplinary action against a dozen sailors, including two senior commanders, from the USS Fitzgerald navy destroyer which collided on June 17 with a merchant ship, resulting in the deaths of seven US sailors.
The two top officers were relieved of their posts after a review found them guilty of “inadequate leadership”, and that the collision off the coast of Japan was “avoidable”.
In total the US navy has suffered four mishaps in the Pacific this year.
On May 9, the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain was struck by a small fishing boat off the Korean Peninsula.
In late January, the guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam ran aground while trying to anchor in Tokyo Bay.
All four of the US warships are equipped with the Aegis missile defense system, which has been touted as a possible defense against any North Korean missile launch that might endanger US forces and US allies in Asia.
The USS John S. McCain, based at the US 7th Fleet’s homeport of Yokosuka, Japan, is named for the father and grandfather of US Senator John McCain, both of whom were US Navy admirals.
Shortly after this morning’s collision Senator McCain, a former captain in the US Navy, posted a message on Twitter expressing concern for the fate of the ship’s sailors.
“Cindy and I are keeping America’s sailors aboard the USS John S McCain in our prayers tonight _ appreciate the work of search and rescue crews,” he tweeted.
Earlier this month, the 505 foot long McCain carried out a freedom-of-navigation operation in the South China Sea, sailing within six nautical miles of Mischief Reef, one of the artificial islands built by China in the Spratlys.
The ship has a crew of 23 officers, 24 chief petty officers, and 291 sailors
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