Navy fires two officers over USS McCain collision, says deadly accident was 'preventable'

[Eugene]

Source: Washington Post

Navy fires two officers over USS McCain collision, says deadly accident was ‘preventable’

By Andrew deGrandpre October 10 at 11:05 PM

The U.S. Navy on Tuesday fired the USS John S. McCain’s top two officers, calling the warship’s deadly August collision with a merchant vessel “preventable.”

Cmdr. Alfredo J. Sanchez, the McCain’s commander, and Cmdr. Jessie L. Sanchez, its executive officer, were relieved of their duties and reassigned, Navy officials announced in a statement. Both were fired due to a lack of confidence, officials said.

The McCain, a guided missile destroyer, collided with the merchant vessel Alnic MC on Aug. 21 near Singapore. Ten American Sailors died and five others were injured.

“While the investigation is ongoing, it is evident the collision was preventable, the commanding officer exercised poor judgement, and the executive officer exercised poor leadership of the ship’s training program,” officials said.

This is a developing story. It will be updated.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/10/10/navy-relieves-two-officers-of-their-duties-over-uss-john-mccains-preventable-collision-in-august-which-killed-10-sailors/

[nitpicker]

1. Navy Times take on 7th Fleet announcement

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2017/10/11/navy-fires-john-s-mccain-leadership-calls-fatal-august-collision-preventable/