USS John S. McCain offloaded in Yokosuka for repairs

Heavily-damaged US Navy destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, for repairs on December 13 after starting the final leg of its journey from Subic Bay on November 28.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer was damaged in a collision with merchant vessel Alnic MC on August 21. After the collision, in which 10 sailors lost their lives, the ship returned to Singapore where it was prepared by the crew and technicians for its transport to Japan.

The ship departed Singapore October 5 but was diverted to Subic Bay Oct. 22 due to poor weather conditions and to repair new cracks in the ship’s hull developed while aboard heavy lift vessel MV Treasure.

John S. McCain arrived in Tokyo Bay December 5 and for several days, crews prepared the ship for safe offload prior to being towed pierside.

John S. McCain will be repaired by US Naval Ship Repair Facility-Japan Regional Maintenance Center in Yokosuka before returning to service in US Seventh Fleet.

“SRF is making preparations to begin remediation and repair efforts immediately once the ship is dockside,” said Lt. Cmdr. Sandra Wyman assigned to SRF-JRMC. “The project will be one of the largest SRF has undertaken.”