The United States Ship (USS) Michael Murphy arrived yesterday alongside Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, with family members and civilian contractors evacuated from Canadian navy ship (HMCS) Protecteur, five days after a fire onboard .
Nearly 300 people were aboard the ship when the fire broke out, including family members, selected to join the crew on its return to Esquimalt, B.C.
“HMCS Protecteur remains under tow. As of 9 a.m. PST, the ships were approximately 150 nautical miles northeast of Pearl Harbor,” the Canadian Defence Department said on Tuesday. “Fair weather conditions are expected to continue for the remainder of the transit of the three ships.”
USS Chosin, of the US Navy, has taken over towing duties and the slow return to dry dock in Hawaii should be completed by later this week.
A team of RCN personnel has arrived in Pearl Harbor. This team will provide technical support to HMCS Protecteur’s crew members and assist family members who arrived on USS Michael Murphy. Once in Hawaii, an extensive and detailed damage assessment of the ship will begin. Work will begin to prepare HMCS Protecteur for her return to Esquimalt.
HMCS Protecteur has limited electrical power and onboard systems continue to be reactivated in a controlled manner. There are reports of significant fire and heat damage to the ship’s engine room and considerable heat and smoke damage in surrounding compartments.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is being initiated.
[mappress] Press Release, March 5, 2014, Image: Wikimedia