An unspecified number of sailors have been found dead in sealed compartments aboard the USS John S. McCain. 10 were reported missing after the McCain collided with a merchant vessel near Singapore. The Malaysian navy also reported finding remains:
Swift said the Malaysian navy, which is conducting a search in the area where the collision took place, has also reported finding remains, but it was not yet clear if they were from the McCain. "We have a report from the Malaysians ... that they have found a body, we are in the process of effecting the transfer of the body," Swift told reporters.
"We are always hopeful that there are survivors. Until we have exhausted any potential of recovering survivors or bodies, the search will continue," he said.
In a statement posted earlier on its website, the Pacific Command said divers equipped with "surface supplied air rigs ... will access sealed compartments located in damaged parts of the ship. Additionally, they will conduct damage assessments of the hull and flooded areas."
Update: U.S. Navy to relieve Seventh Fleet commander after collisions in Asia
Previously: 10 Sailors Still Missing After U.S. Destroyer Collision With Oil Tanker
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Wednesday August 23 2017, @03:02PM (3 children)
Well - how convenient would it be for you to wear something like a tag, of whatever? On duty, off duty, in the bunk, at chow, all day, every day. "Well, Jake, normally we'd welcome you to join our poker game, but you're not dressed! You emergencey location device is missing!! You go away now, and get properly dressed!"
(Score: 3, Informative) by Geezer on Wednesday August 23 2017, @03:18PM (2 children)
Um...we called them "dog tags".
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Wednesday August 23 2017, @10:50PM (1 child)
Right - and we didn't always have them on, either. Some guys carried them in their pockets, others threw them under their mattresses, couple guys were always losing theirs. So, in a disaster, some of us might not have been found, even if those dogtags were electronically traceable.
(Score: 2) by Geezer on Thursday August 24 2017, @12:34AM
Your mileage obviously varied. In the 1970's cruiser Navy (CGN-9, CG-11 for me) you'd get Captain's mast after 1 warning about being out of the uniform of the day. Even if the UoD was dress skivvies, it included dogtags and your DD-2N somewhere on your person. Hell, we had to wear 'em in civvies on liberty. Cruisers used to be high-profile show boats, so the chickenshit factor was high.