Navy to move USS McCain to Japan for damage assessment

In early September 2017, the United States Navy announced its plan to transport the damaged destroyer USS John S. McCain from Singapore to its ship repair facility in Yokosuka, Japan. The decision came just weeks after the warship was involved in a deadly collision at sea. The move was intended to allow for a complete assessment of the damage and to determine the final scope of repairs required to return the vessel to service.

The August 21 Collision

The guided-missile destroyer had been severely damaged on August 21, 2017, following a collision with the Liberian-flagged oil and chemical tanker Alnic MC. The incident occurred east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore while the McCain was en route to a routine port visit. The impact breached the destroyer’s hull on its port side, flooding crew berthing compartments as well as machinery and communications rooms.

The collision resulted in the deaths of ten U.S. Navy sailors and injured five others. After the incident, the McCain sailed under its own power to Singapore’s Changi Naval Base for initial damage control and inspection. The Alnic MC sustained damage to its bow but no crew were injured and no oil was spilled.

Transport to Yokosuka

According to a news release from the Naval Systems Command Office, the plan was to move the McCain from Changi Naval Base using a heavy-lift transport vessel. This specialized procedure involves a semi-submersible ship that lifts the damaged destroyer out of the water for secure passage. The journey from Singapore to Japan represented a significant logistical undertaking.

The choice of Yokosuka was based on several factors. The city is home to the U.S. Navy’s largest and most capable overseas ship repair facility. A Navy official also stated that relocating the vessel to Yokosuka would allow the crew to be close to their families, as the port serves as the headquarters for the U.S. Seventh Fleet, to which the McCain was assigned.

Awaiting Full Damage Assessment

Upon its arrival in Japan, the primary task was to conduct a thorough damage assessment in dry dock. This evaluation would determine whether the necessary repairs could be fully completed in Yokosuka or if the destroyer would need to be transported back to the United States for more extensive structural work. At the time of the announcement, it was reported as unclear whether the Yokosuka facility had the dry dock space and resources to undertake the entire repair process.

Navy officials also noted that a memorial ceremony for the ten sailors who lost their lives in the collision was being considered for when the ship and its crew arrived in Yokosuka.

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