Greek shipping company Stealth Maritime Corporation confirmed on Monday that one of its managed tanker vessels collided with a U.S. missile destroyer off Singapore.
Ten sailors were missing and five others were injured in the incident which occurred in waters east of the Strait of Malacca, the U.S. navy said in a statement.
The ships collided while the U.S. warship was heading to Singapore for a routine port call, the Navy said in a statement.
“Initial reports indicate John S. McCain sustained damage to her port side aft,” the US Navy said. “There are currently 10 sailors missing and five injured.”
The destroyer had made its way to Singapore’s Changi Naval Base by Monday afternoon under its own power.
Significant damage to the hull had resulted in flooding to compartments, including crew berthing, machinery, and communications rooms, the Navy said, but crew members were able to stop the flooding.
Four of the injured were taken by helicopter to hospital in Singapore with non-life threatening injuries. The fifth needed no further treatment.
Stealth Maritime Corporation, the Greece-based owner of the tanker, said in a statement that the vessel was moving to safe anchorage for assessment.
“As a result of the collision, ALNIC MC sustained damage to her Fore Peak Tank, there were no injuries to crew and no reported pollution of the Singapore Strait. The vessel is now transiting to safe anchorage to be further assessed,” the statement added.
The Greek shipping company stressed in its press release that it was cooperating fully with the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore in its investigations as well as other responding agencies.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the missing U.S. Navy sailors and we hope the injured personnel make a speedy and full recovery,” the company stressed.
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