Early this morning, a Liberian-flagged tanker (ALNIC MC) collided with a US guided-missile destroyer (USS John McCain) in the Singapore Strait, the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore reported today (Monday).
The USS John McCain sustained damage to its port side and requested tug assistance. The United States Navy has reported that ten crew members are currently unaccounted for and five injured.
An oil tank on the ALNIC MC – situated seven metres above the waterline – was also damaged by the collision, however there has been no report of oil pollution and no crew injuries on the carrier.
“RSAF [Republic of Singapore Air Force] helicopters have transferred the injured from the USS John McCain to Singapore for medical attention and the MPA has sent three tugboats to assist,” said an MPA spokesperson. “The Republic of Singapore Navy and Singapore Police Coast Guard have also deployed a total of four vessels on scene to render assistance.”
An MPA statement noted that the authority was currently investigating the incident and that traffic in the strait had not been affected.
