Operational Pause After US Warship Collisions

The US Navy has ordered a broad investigation into the performance and readiness of the Pacific-based 7th Fleet and operations have been paused after a collision between the USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker.

The news comes following an incident in which a US Navy guided-missile destroyer collided with a tankerin waters east of Singapore.

The Navy has said that five were injured and at least ten are missing.

Four of the injured sailors were evacuated by a Singaporean navy helicopter to a hospital in Singapore for treatment for non-life threatening injuries, and one did not require further medical attention.

The USS John McCain sustained significant damage to its hull on its port side from the collision with the Alnic MC.

In a statement, the Navy's Seventh Fleet said that damage to the McCain's hull flooded adjacent compartments including crew berths, machinery, and communications rooms but a damage control response prevented further flooding.

It was not immediately clear if the oil and chemical tanker sustained damage or casualties in the collision.

The McCain had been heading to Singapore for a routine port visit after conducting a sensitive freedom-of-navigation operation last week.

The Navy said Osprey aircraft and Seahawk helicopters from the USS America were assisting, and tugboats and Singaporean naval and coast guard vessels were in the area to help.

There are no reports of a chemical or oil spill and there was no immediate explanation for the collision, and the Navy said an investigation would be conducted.

Navy Admiral John Richardson, the chief of naval operations, will call for a pause in operations and seek a deeper look at how the Navy trains and certifies its forces that are operating around Japan, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said.

Mr Mattis spoke to reporters in Amman, Jordan, where he is travelling, saying: 

"The chief of naval operations' broader inquiry will look at all related accidents, incidents at sea." 

Meanwhile, Malaysia's navy chief Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin has since tweeted saying that two ships and an aircraft from its Navy and air force have been deployed to help look for the missing sailors.

Since the incident, President Donald Trump has tweeted:

"Thoughts & prayers are w/ our @USNavy sailors aboard the #USSJohnSMcCain where search & rescue efforts are underway."

Senator John McCain tweeted: "Cindy & I are keeping America's sailors aboard the USS John S McCain in our prayers tonight - appreciate the work of search & rescue crews."

This is the second collision in Asian waters in involving a ship from the 7th Fleet in the last seven months.

Seven sailors died in June when the USS Fitzgerald and a container ship hit each other in waters off Japan