10 Sailors Missing, 5 Injured After U.S. Missile Destroyer Ship Crash Near Singapore
SOUTH CHINA SEA (CBSNewYork/CBS News) -- Ten sailors were reported missing and five are injured after a U.S. missile destroyer was involved in a crash at sea off the waters of Singapore early Monday local time.
The Navy said the guided-missile destroyer U.S.S. John S. McCain was involved in a collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while in transit east of Singapore and the Strait of Malacca.
The Navy said 10 sailors were missing as of 9:30 p.m. Sunday New York time, and five were injured.
The Navy ship sustained damage to its port side aft, but was sailing under its own power and heading to port following the accident.
The Singaporean Navy is sending assets to assist and the USS America is en route to help. The collision was reported at 6:24 a.m. Japan Standard Time, according to the U.S. Navy.
"In addition to tug boats out of Singapore, the Republic of Singapore Navy ship RSS Gallant, RSN helicopters and Police Coast Guard vessel Basking Shark are currently in the area to render assistance," the Navy's statement read.
The ship was on its way to Singapore after finishing what the Navy called "routine patrols" in the South China Sea. One of those patrols was a Freedom of Navigation mission near contested islands which China has built and claims as their own in the South China around August 10.
Senator John McCain sent the following message on Twitter in response: "Cindy & I are keeping America's
Cindy & I are keeping America's sailors aboard the USS John S McCain in our prayers tonight - appreciate the work of search & rescue crews https://t.co/jzk9giXbfg
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) August 21, 2017
The Navy says the USS John S. McCain was commissioned in 1994 and carries a crew of 23 officers, 24 chief petty officers and 291 enlisted sailors. It was named for John S. McCain, Sr. and John S. McCain, Jr. who were both Admirals in the U.S. Navy, Reuters news agency reports.
Senator McCain -- a Vietnam-era naval aviator who was shot down and held as a prisoner of war for nearly six years -- is currently undergoing treatment for brain cancer.
The merchant vessel, Alnic MC, is a 30,000+ ton oil/chemical tanker built in 2007. It's 600 feet long and 105 feet wide and sails under the Liberian flag. Its owner according to searches is Energetic Tank Inc. and its operator is Stealth Maritime Corporation S.A.
Officials say an investigation is under way. The extent of damage and personnel injuries is being determined.
This collision comes on the heels of another incident involving the USS Fitzgerald.
The captain of the destroyer, two senior officers and at least a dozen sailors are being disciplined for the horrifying collision that killed seven sailors in June off the coast of Japan.
Thirty-five sailors were asleep in a compartment when the bow of the Philippine ship punched a 17-by-13 foot hole in the Fitzgerald's hull. Seven sleeping closest to the hole drowned but 28 somehow made it out alive, even though the entire space was nearly flooded within 30 to 60 seconds.