10 unaccounted for, five injured. No oil pollution reported; Traffic in Singapore Strait is unaffected

At about 0530 hrs on 21 August 2017, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was notified of a collision between a US guided-missile destroyer USS John McCain with Liberian-flagged merchant vessel Alnic MC in Singapore territorial waters in the Singapore Strait.

Ten missing after collision of US Guided-missile destroyer JOHN MCCAIN and TANKER ALNIC MC in Singapore waters
Caption: The USS John S. McCain conducts a routine patrol in the South China Sea, Jan. 22, 2017. The guided-missile destroyer is supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region - Image: US Department of Defense, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class James Vazquez - United States Department of Defense

USS JOHN MCCAIN sustained damage to her port side and requested for tug assistance. ALNIC MC sustained damage to her Fore Peak Tank 7m above the waterline, with no crew injuries. The United States Navy reported 10 crew unaccounted for and five injured.

Singapore is leading the Search and Rescue operations, and relevant Singapore agencies are rendering all possible assistance. RSAF helicopters have transferred the injured from USS JOHN MCCAIN to Singapore for medical attention. MPA has sent three tugboats to assist. Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) have also deployed a total of four vessels on scene to render assistance.

USS JOHN MCCAIN and ALNIC MC are currently on their way to Singapore to assess their damage.

There is no report of oil pollution and traffic in the Singapore Strait is unaffected. MPA is investigating the incident.

Source: MPA Singapore