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Seven sailors are missing after a U.S. guided-missile destroyer collided with a Philippine-flagged container ship off the coast of Japan, U.S. 7th Fleet said in a Friday night statement to USNI News.
USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) collided with ACX Crystal at about 02:30 AM on Saturday local time or about 1:30 PM EST on Friday, U.S. 7th Fleet told USNI News. The collision resulted in significant damage to the destroyer, the loss of the seven sailors and a serious injury to the ship’s commander.
Navy officials reported three patients requiring medical evacuation were taken off the ship. “One was Cmdr. Bryce Benson, Fitzgerald’s commanding officer, who was transferred to U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka and is reportedly in stable condition,” read a statement from U.S. 7th Fleet released on Friday about 9:15 EST.
“Other injured are being assessed. There are seven sailors unaccounted for; the ship and the Japanese Coast Guard continues to search for them.”
“USS Fitzgerald suffered damage on her starboard side above and below the waterline. The collision resulted in some flooding. The ship’s crew is responding to the casualty. The full extent of damage is being determined,” the statement said.
“Fitzgerald is under her own power, although her propulsion is limited.”
Two Navy tugs, destroyer USS Dewey (DDG-105) and Navy aircraft have been dispatched to assist the ship.
Navy Times reported , “that Auxiliary Machine Room 1 and two crew berthings were completely flooded. Given the late hour, most crewmembers not standing watch would be in the berthing.”
The status of the crew of Crystal is still unknown. Images of the container ship following the collision show damage on the port bow, suggesting the destroyer was attempting to give way to the merchant ship ahead of the impact.
Navy leaders offered support to the families and praise for the first responders and the crew.
“U.S. and Japanese support from the Navy, Maritime Self Defense Force and Coast Guard are in the area to ensure that the Sailors on USS Fitzgerald have the resources they need to stabilize their ship. As more information is learned, we will be sure to share to it with the Fitzgerald families and when appropriate the public. Thank you for your well wishes and messages of concern. All of our thoughts and prayers are with the Fitzgerald crew and their families,” said Adm. John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations, in a statement.
“Right now we are focused on two things: the safety of the ship and the well-being of the Sailors,” said Adm. Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, in the same statement.
“We thank our Japanese partners for their assistance.”
Fitzgerald is part of the U.S. Forward Deployed Naval Forces based in mainland Japan and attached to U.S. 7th Fleet.
The following is the complete statement from U.S. 7th Fleet.
PHILIPPINE SEA – USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time, June 17, while operating about 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka, Japan.
As of this time, there have been two patients requiring medical evacuation. One was Cmdr. Bryce Benson, Fitzgerald’s commanding officer, who was transferred to U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka and is reportedly in stable condition. A second MEDEVAC is in progress. Other injured are being assessed. There are seven Sailors unaccounted for; the ship and the Japanese Coast Guard continues to search for them.
Although Fitzgerald is under her own power, USS Dewey (DDG 105) got underway this morning as well as several U.S. Navy aircraft, and will join Japanese Coast Guard and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopters, ships and aircraft to render whatever assistance may be required.
“U.S. and Japanese support from the Navy, Maritime Self Defense Force and Coast Guard are in the area to ensure that the Sailors on USS Fitzgerald have the resources they need to stabilize their ship. As more information is learned, we will be sure to share to it with the Fitzgerald families and when appropriate the public. Thank you for your well wishes and messages of concern. All of our thoughts and prayers are with the Fitzgerald crew and their families,” said Adm. John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations.
“Right now we are focused on two things: the safety of the ship and the well-being of the Sailors,” said Adm. Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. “We thank our Japanese partners for their assistance.”
