Bodies Found In US Warship Search

A number of bodies have been found the USS John McCain after Navy and Marine Corps divers entered flooded compartments on the vessel.

The warship is now docked at Singapore's naval base.

Admiral Scott Swift said:

"The divers were able to locate some remains in those sealed compartments during their search today.

"We will continue the search and rescue operations until the probability of discovering sailors is exhausted."

There were two lesser-known incidents in the first half of the year.

In January, the USS Antietam guided missile cruiser ran aground near Yokosuka base, the home port of the 7th Fleet, and in May another cruiser, the USS Lake Champlain from the Navy's 3rd Fleet, had a minor collision with a South Korean fishing boat.

Admiral Swift said: 

"While each of these four incidents is unique, they cannot be viewed in isolation."

He said the navy would conduct an investigation "to find out if there is a common cause ... and if so, how do we solve that".

Megan Partlow, of Ohio, whose fiance was on board the McCain, told the Associated Press in a Facebook message that she was losing hope of seeing him again:

"My last text to him was 'Be safe', which is the same way we end every conversation. I'm just ready for answers."

The identities of the missing have not been disclosed but Ms Partlow said her fiance's parents were in touch with the Navy's family assistance centre.

Admiral John Richardson, the chief of naval operations, on Monday ordered a pause in 7th Fleet operations for the next couple of days to ensure proper safety measures are now in place.

Several safety violations were recorded for the oil tanker at its last port inspection in July, one fire safety deficiency and two safety-of-navigation problems.

The official database for ports in Asia does not go into details and the problems were apparently not serious enough for the tanker to be detained.