Reports from the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet indicate that a fire broke out aboard the USS New Orleans, an amphibious transport dock ship, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan.
The blaze, which lasted nearly 12 hours, resulted in minor injuries to two sailors. Navy officials state that the fire has been extinguished, and an investigation into its cause is underway. The 684-foot vessel was in waters near the White Beach Naval Facility when the incident occurred.
According to reliable sources, the crew of the USS New Orleans received assistance in combating the fire from multiple entities, including the USS San Diego, another troop and aircraft transport ship, as well as the Japanese coast guard and military forces.
This follows a severe fire aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego in July 2020, which burned for five days and led to the ship’s eventual scrapping. A subsequent Navy report revealed systemic failures in that case.
Navy officials report that the crew will remain aboard the USS New Orleans. Commissioned in 2007, this vessel can accommodate up to 800 personnel.
The evidence suggests that naval fire safety protocols will likely face renewed scrutiny. As investigations proceed, questions about prevention measures and response capabilities will undoubtedly arise.