A U.S. Navy amphibious transport dock ship, USS New Orleans (LPD-18), suffered a fire off the coast of Okinawa, Japan on Wednesday, prompting a coordinated international response from both U.S. and Japanese forces.
According to U.S. 7th Fleet, “Crews are responding to a fire aboard USS New Orleans this afternoon, Aug. 20, which is in the vicinity of Okinawa, Japan,” adding that more details would be provided as they become available.
A Navy official confirmed to USNI News that there have been no initial reports of crew injuries and that while the fire is contained, it has not yet been fully extinguished.
The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) reported that a call for assistance came from New Orleans around 5 p.m. local time. “A fire has broken out on a U.S. vessel off the coast of White Beach. The crew is currently engaged in firefighting efforts, but we have requested the Japan Coast Guard to provide firefighting assistance,” a Coast Guard official told Japanese broadcaster NHK.
Footage from NHK showed the New Orleans positioned off the coast of Naval Base White Beach, Okinawa, with two tugs using water cannons directed at the bow of the amphibious vessel.
An official from Japan’s Defense Ministry confirmed that the country’s Self-Defence Forces were participating in firefighting efforts. The JCG also stated that one of its ships near the U.S. vessel was preparing to join the effort, and noted that no oil leaks had been observed in nearby waters.
USS New Orleans is part of the Navy’s forward deployed amphibious force based in Sasebo, Japan.
Subscribe for Daily Maritime Insights
Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update
— trusted by our 108,458 members
AloJapan.com