The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) pulled into Changi Naval Base, Singapore at 3:42 AM EDT this morning, after colliding with a merchant ship earlier on Aug, 21, 2017, according to U.S. Navy news releases.
Search and rescue efforts by MH-60S helicopters and MV-22 Ospreys from the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), as well as by Republic of Singapore ships RSS Gallant (97), RSS Resilience (82) and Singaporean Police Coast Guard vessels Basking Shark (PH 55), Tiger Shark (PH 54), and Sandbar Shark (PH 56) continue.
The collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC occurred while the ships were underway east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore at 6:24 AM Japan Standard Time. McCain was transiting the straits on the way to a routine port visit in Singapore. It appears the bow bulb of the Alnic MC pierced the side of McCain above and below the waterline, resulting in significant flooding to crew berthing, machinery, and communications spaces. Alnic MC is a 600-foot oil and chemical tanker of 30,000 gross weight tons.
Tugboats from Singapore assist the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) at Changi Naval Base, Republic of Singapore following a collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while underway east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. Significant damage to the hull resulted in flooding to nearby compartments, including crew berthing, machinery, and communications rooms. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Fulton
While damage control efforts aboard McCain halted further flooding, 10 crew members are missing. Five sailors were injured with non life-threatening injuries, and four were medically evacuated by a Singapore armed forces helicopter to a hospital in Singapore. The fifth sailor stayed aboard McCain.
Search and rescue efforts by MH-60S helicopters and MV-22 Ospreys from the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), as well as by Republic of Singapore ships RSS Gallant (97), RSS Resilience (82) and Singaporean Police Coast Guard vessels Basking Shark (PH 55), Tiger Shark (PH 54), and Sandbar Shark (PH 56) continue.
Royal Malaysian Navy ships KD Handalan, KD Gempita, KM Marudu and a Super Lynx helicopter have also joined search and rescue efforts.
America has also entered Changi Naval Base, and is now moored across the pier from McCain, providing berthing and messing assistance, continuing search and rescue efforts with her embarked aircraft, and aiding in damage control and assessment and repair efforts.