Happened in the Straits of Malacca, perhaps the busiest transit on the planet. No news yet on how it happened but the damage to the destroyer is port side aft. Ten sailors missing. Five sailors missing and medevaced to Singapore by helo.
Whenever we transited busy areas or harbors, they set the Special Sea Detail withNav Stations. This doubled the lookouts, put two officers on the bridge and perhaps the Captain, experienced helmsman and top notch quartermaster at the plot as well as full staff in Combat. I haven't heard whether this was done or not but this area is where most of the shipping in and out of Singapore transits. Literally, hundreds of ships daily. The investigation will uncover what went wrong. To have two accidents like this in recent times may prompt the Navy to review procedures and even stand down. There have been 4 incidents this year, another was a collision with a fishing boat and another navy ship ran aground.
I wonder if turnover has cost the Navy and the rest if the military valuable experienced personnel? That would force newer untrained people into positions before they are ready.