Fire-Stricken HMCS Protecteur Slowly Towed to Pearl Harbor

Canadian Navy Ship HMCS Protecteur remains under tow and is now approximately 220 nautical miles (407 kilometres) North East of Pearl Harbor, Canadian Department of Defence informed on March 3.

Despite weather challenges these past two days, crews continue to work diligently during this towing operation. Weather conditions have improved over the past 24 hours and the vessels are currently moving at approximately 5 knots (9 kilometres per hour).

It is anticipated that USS Michael Murphy, which has been providing assistance to Protecteur up this point, is expected to detach from the scene and proceed back Pearl Harbor with family members and civilian contractors.

HMCS Protecteur was returning to its homeport of CFB Esquimalt, B.C., when a fire was extinguished in the ship’s engine room, amid which the personnel sustained minor injuries.

Nearly 300 people were aboard, including family members, selected to join the crew on its return to Esquimalt, B.C.

A team of military personnel left CFB Esquimalt on March 2 and are on their way to Pearl Harbor. This team will provide the necessary support to the family members returning to Pearl Harbor.

Once in Hawaii, efforts will commence 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. The ship’s company are said to be well and focused on recovery operations and rest. Ongoing medical and support services are being provided as required to everyone onboard.

An extensive and detailed damage assessment will start once the ship arrives in Hawaii. An investigation into the cause of the fire is being initiated.

The vessel had a tough weekend, as the crews were making their way through the rough seas under tow, which eventually cased the tow line to snap. Lt.-Cmdr. Desmond James at CFB Esquimalt on Vancouver Island said the ageing vessel was being towed through heavy seas on Sunday when the tow line broke, the Canadian Press wrote.

According to James, USS Sioux, a deep-water ocean tug 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.

[mappress]
Press Release, March 4, 2014, Image: Wikimedia