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US navy destroyer Fitzgerald collides with merchant ship off coast of Japan US navy destroyer Fitzgerald collides with merchant ship off coast of Japan
(35 minutes later)
A US navy destroyer has suffered some flooding and damage after colliding with a merchant vessel south-west of Yokosuka, Japan. Seven crew members are missing and after a US navy destroyer collided with a merchant vessel south-west of Yokosuka, Japan.
One sailor was being airlifted to hospital but it was not known if any other members of the crew of were injured, the US navy said on Friday. One sailor was being airlifted to hospital and it was not known if any other members of the crew of were injured, the US navy said on Friday. But the Japanese coastguard said seven crew members were unaccounted for.
Takeshi Aikawa said the injured sailor had a head injury, but details of his or her condition were unknown. Footage from broadcaster NHK showed a person in a stretcher being lifted to a helicopter.
In a statement, the navy said the USS Fitzgerald collided with a merchant vessel 56 nautical miles south-west of Yokosuka and the extent of injuries to US personnel “is being determined”.In a statement, the navy said the USS Fitzgerald collided with a merchant vessel 56 nautical miles south-west of Yokosuka and the extent of injuries to US personnel “is being determined”.
“Currently working with the Japanese coast guard to conduct a medevac via helicopter for one sailor,” it said. The ships collided at approximately 2:30am local time on Saturday, causing serious damage to the destroyer. The USS Fitzgerald suffered damage on her starboard side above and below the waterline and flooding in some parts. So far no damage or injuries have been reported on the container ship. NHK reported that the merchant ship had scratches on the left side of its bow.
The ships collided at approximately 2:30am local time on Saturday. The USS Fitzgerald suffered damage on her starboard side above and below the waterline. Two cutters and a helicopter from the Japanese coast guard were on scene and providing assistance, the navy statement said.
Two cutters and a helicopter from the Japanese coast guard were on scene and providing assistance, the statement said.
“The USS Fitzgerald is under her own power, although her propulsion is limited.”“The USS Fitzgerald is under her own power, although her propulsion is limited.”
More aircraft and ships, including the USS Dewey and two navy tugs were being dispatched as quickly as practicable to provide assistance.More aircraft and ships, including the USS Dewey and two navy tugs were being dispatched as quickly as practicable to provide assistance.
The US Seventh Fleet said on Twitter that the ship would return to Yokosuka.The US Seventh Fleet said on Twitter that the ship would return to Yokosuka.
Japan’s public broadcaster NHK showed aerial footage of the destroyer, which had a large dent in the right side of the ship.Japan’s public broadcaster NHK showed aerial footage of the destroyer, which had a large dent in the right side of the ship.
Images broadcast by NHK showed the US ship has been struck on its starboard side next to its Aegis radar arrays behind its vertical launch tubes.Images broadcast by NHK showed the US ship has been struck on its starboard side next to its Aegis radar arrays behind its vertical launch tubes.
No apparent damage could be seen from the images below the waterline although damage on the deck and to part of the radar appeared significant. In the US, relatives of crew members were awaiting news of their loved ones.
NHK said that the commercial vessel is a Philippines container ship that was on its way to Tokyo. A spokesman for the Philippines coast guard said he had heard of the accident but had no details since it was not in Philippine waters. Rita Schrimsher of Athens, Alabama, said “of course we’re nervous and scared and just praying.”
Her grandson Jackson Schrimsher is a 23-year-old sailor aboard the USS Fitzgerald. She said she last communicated with him via Facebook messenger on Wednesday.
The Japanese coastguard said the merchant vessel was a Philippine-registered container ship ACX Crystal. A spokesman for the Philippines coast guard said he had heard of the accident but had no details since it was not in Philippine waters.
The 154-metre (505ft) USS Fitzgerald is based at Yokosuka, south of Yokohama and Tokyo, and operates in the Pacific and the Sea of Japan.The 154-metre (505ft) USS Fitzgerald is based at Yokosuka, south of Yokohama and Tokyo, and operates in the Pacific and the Sea of Japan.
Such incidents are rare. In May, the USS Lake Champlain collided with a South Korean fishing vessel but both ships were able to operate under their own power.Such incidents are rare. In May, the USS Lake Champlain collided with a South Korean fishing vessel but both ships were able to operate under their own power.
Situated at the approach to Tokyo bay, Yokosuka and the waters to its south are a busy commercial waterway plied by commercial vessels sailing to and from Japan*s two biggest container ports in Tokyo and Yokohama.Situated at the approach to Tokyo bay, Yokosuka and the waters to its south are a busy commercial waterway plied by commercial vessels sailing to and from Japan*s two biggest container ports in Tokyo and Yokohama.
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