A photo supplied by the Japanese Coast Guard shows crews battling a fire aboard the USS New Orleans.
As informed by CNN
The fire lasted about 12 hours on the amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans, which was anchored near White Beach on the eastern coast of Okinawa. As a result of the incident, two sailors sustained minor injuries and received medical treatment on board.
According to the U.S. Navy, the blaze began around 16:00 local time on Wednesday and was extinguished early Thursday morning. According to the Japanese Coast Guard, firefighting continued until a little after 9:00 local time, after which an investigation was launched to determine whether the fire was fully extinguished.
USS New Orleans is an amphibious transport dock with a crew of more than 360 sailors and a capacity to carry up to 800 service members. The vessel measures 684 feet in length, with a displacement of about 24,000 tons.
The New Orleans crew received support from USS San Diego, which was also moored near White Beach. The Japanese Coast Guard, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and other U.S. Navy units on Okinawa provided crucial assistance in firefighting; NHK showed tugboats spraying water on the forward part of the ship.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation as part of the 7th Fleet’s operations. Experts emphasize that fires on combat ships pose serious threats, and such incidents can affect fleet readiness for years. The most serious fire in recent years on an American vessel occurred on the amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard in July 2020; it led to a series of reforms in fire safety and crew training to prevent similar incidents. Such events underline the importance of ongoing equipment monitoring and training to maintain the fleet’s operational readiness.
Timeline of the Event and Coordination of Actions
According to official reports, extinguishing began shortly after the blaze was detected, and Coast Guard units and naval firefighting elements joined forces to stabilize the situation. In the Pacific region, coordination between American and Japanese agencies proved crucial in protecting the crew and assets around the incident site.
In conclusion, the fire on the USS New Orleans highlights the importance of fire protection systems and rapid cooperation among regional allies, and serves as a reminder that such incidents can affect ships’ combat readiness and require ongoing training and refinement of procedures.
AloJapan.com