The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore informed that multi-agency search and rescue (SAR) efforts are continued, to locate the remaining unaccounted crew of USS John S McCain, and the search area was further expanded to 5524 km2, from 2620 km2 earlier.
As MPA Singapore informs, to cover a wider search area, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) deployed one Fokker 50 and one C-130, and had one Super Puma on standby, from August 23.
In addition, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) deployed the patrol vessels “RSS FREEDOM” and “RSS FEARLESS”. Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) also deployed two vessels. Australia also joined operation with a P3 aircraft. Maritime and Port Authority (MPA), as the co-ordinating agency for the SAR efforts, has a craft on scene.
In the coordinated search efforts with the US, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia, Singapore and the US are covering the Central sector of the search area. Malaysia, Australia and Indonesia are covering the North-west, North-east and Southern sectors respectively.
The US Navy and Marine Corps divers located some remains, when they accessed sealed compartments in the damaged parts of the ship during their search operations. Diving operations in the US vessel are currently still ongoing.
In total, more than 300 personnel from Singapore were deployed for this operation. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has deployed four patrol vessels, three fast craft, one frigate, three Super Pumas, two Chinooks, two C-130 and three Fokker 50 while PCG deployed four patrol craft. MPA deployed two craft, three tugboats and a team of divers.
In addition, MPA has been issuing hourly navigational broadcasts to advise passing vessels of the incident and requested them to keep a lookout for any persons in the water.
