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Bodies of missing sailors recovered from warship-tanker collision in Singapore
THE bodies of all ten US sailors who were unaccounted for after a US Navy guided missile destroyer collided with an oil/chemical tanker east of Singapore have been recovered, the US Navy said.
The remains of the sailors, who were aboard the USS John S McCain when it collided with Liberian-flagged oil/chemical tanker Alnic MC the morning of August 21, were recovered by US Navy and Marine Corps divers.
The collision was reported at 6:24 am local time as the vessels were east of Singapore and the Strait of Malacca. According to the 7th Fleet, the John S McCain was transiting to a routine port visit in Singapore when the collision occurred. The vessel sustained damage to her port side aft upon colliding with the double-hulled tanker, which is owned by Marshall Islands-based Energetic Tank Inc and operated by Greece-based shipping company Stealth Maritime Corp SA.
No injuries or spillage were reported on board the nine-year-old tanker, which is moored in Singapore while an investigation into the incident continues.
The fatal collision was the second since June for the US Navy 7th Fleet, following a mid-June incident in which seven US sailors were killed and three others severely injured. In that crash, the ACX Crystal, a containership chartered by Japanese ocean carrier NYK Line, collided with US Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald in the Philippine Sea.
An investigation by the 7th Fleet later found that the collision was avoidable and that both ships "demonstrated poor seamanship." Subsequently, the Fitzgerald's commanding officer, executive officer and command master chief were relieved of their duties, as were several junior officers.
After the most recent incident, 7th Fleet commander Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin was relieved of duty by US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift due to "a loss of faith" in Mr Aucoins ability to command, according to the Navy. He was replaced August 23 by Vice Admiral. Phil Sawyer, who's most recent assignment was deputy commander, US Pacific Fleet in Hawaii, the American Shipper reported.
The remains of the sailors, who were aboard the USS John S McCain when it collided with Liberian-flagged oil/chemical tanker Alnic MC the morning of August 21, were recovered by US Navy and Marine Corps divers.
The collision was reported at 6:24 am local time as the vessels were east of Singapore and the Strait of Malacca. According to the 7th Fleet, the John S McCain was transiting to a routine port visit in Singapore when the collision occurred. The vessel sustained damage to her port side aft upon colliding with the double-hulled tanker, which is owned by Marshall Islands-based Energetic Tank Inc and operated by Greece-based shipping company Stealth Maritime Corp SA.
No injuries or spillage were reported on board the nine-year-old tanker, which is moored in Singapore while an investigation into the incident continues.
The fatal collision was the second since June for the US Navy 7th Fleet, following a mid-June incident in which seven US sailors were killed and three others severely injured. In that crash, the ACX Crystal, a containership chartered by Japanese ocean carrier NYK Line, collided with US Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald in the Philippine Sea.
An investigation by the 7th Fleet later found that the collision was avoidable and that both ships "demonstrated poor seamanship." Subsequently, the Fitzgerald's commanding officer, executive officer and command master chief were relieved of their duties, as were several junior officers.
After the most recent incident, 7th Fleet commander Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin was relieved of duty by US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift due to "a loss of faith" in Mr Aucoins ability to command, according to the Navy. He was replaced August 23 by Vice Admiral. Phil Sawyer, who's most recent assignment was deputy commander, US Pacific Fleet in Hawaii, the American Shipper reported.
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