According to a statement put out by the US Navy, the collision was reported at 0524 local time on August 21. The McCain has suffered significant damage to the hull and flooding in the crew berthing, machinery, and communications rooms. However, the flooding was contained and the vessel proceeded under its own power to Singapore.
Operators of the Alnic MC, the Stealth Maritime Corporation, confirmed that the vessel sustained damage to a tank near the front of the ship 7 metres above the waterline. None of the crew were injured and though the vessel was carrying 12,000 tonnes of oil there has been no leakage. Under her own power, the Alnic proceeded to Singapore, where she is now anchored for assessment. The Alnic MChad been transiting from Mai Liao in Taiwan to Singapore with a partial load of fuel oil at the time of the incident.
An air/sea search and rescue operation is currently underway involving the US, Singapore and Malaysian navies to see if any of the missing crew can be recovered.
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