US Destroyer, Merchant Vessel Collide In Singapore Waters

By Massita Ahmad SINGAPORE, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- A United States guided-missile destroyer and a merchant vessel collided in Singapore waters today, and the US Navy reported five crew injured and 10 unaccounted for, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). It said the destroyer, USS John McCain, and the Liberian-flagged merchant vessel, Alnic MC, collided in the Singapore Strait at 5.30 am. MPA said in a statement that there was no report of oil pollution and that traffic in the strait was unaffected following the collision. According to MPA, USS John McCain sustained damage to its port side and requested for tug assistance while Alnic MC sustained damage to its fore peak tank seven metres above the waterline, with no injury to the crew. The US Navy reported five crew injured and 10 unaccounted for, it said. MPA said Singapore was leading the search-and-rescue operation, and relevant Singapore agencies were rendering all possible assistance. Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) helicopters have transferred the injured from USS John McCain to Singapore for medical attention. The MPA itself has sent three tugboats to assist. Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) have also deployed a total of four vessels on the scene to render assistance. The MPA said USS John McCain and Alnic MC were on their way to Singapore to assess their damage. -- BERNAMA