John S McCain to be taken to Japan for damage assessment

The US warship “John S. McCain” will be transported via heavy lift, from Changi Naval Base in Singapore, to the US Navy’s Ship Repair Facility-Japan Regional Maintenance Center in Yokosuka, Japan.

Specifically, as the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) informed, US Navy intends to issue a task order on an existing contract, for the salvage patching and transport of the vessel to Japan. The lift is notionally planned for late September.  

The Navy is moving USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) to Yokosuka to allow the crew to be close to their families and to allow for a complete assessment of the damage. Completion of the damage assessment is required to fully determine repair plans to include cost, schedule and location for the ship’s repairs. 

The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain was involved in a collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while underway east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore on August 21. The ship suffered significant damage to her port side aft resulting in flooding to nearby compartments, including berthing, machinery, and communications rooms.