The US destroyer McCain is returning to sea following a deadly collision 15 months ago

02:16 - 24 July 2024

USS John S. McCain leaving dry dock

The US Navy has announced that 15 months after its tragic collision at sea, the USS John S. McCain achieved a major repair milestone as it left dry dock Tuesday.

The ship is now moored to a pier in its homeport of Yokosuka, Japan. There, the ship's crew will continue making repairs, according to Cmdr. Micah Murphy, the ship's commanding officer.

"I'm proud of and thankful for every person who has worked together to move USS John S. McCain another step closer to both normalcy and sailing again with U.S. 7th Fleet," Murphy said.

The guided-missile destroyer collided with an oil tanker in August 2017, resulting in the deaths of 10 sailors.

While at dry dock, the USS McCain saw repairs made to its hull and berthing compartment that were damaged in the collision, the Navy said. The destroyer also received a new thrust shaft, one of the two rotating shafts that turn the ship's propellers.

The US Navy press release did not say how much the repairs cost.

A time-lapse video shows the ship leaving dry dock.

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