High winds prevent tow for fire-damaged HMCS

Mid-Pacific Ocean – The crew aboard a stranded Canadian vessel will have to wait another day to be towed by a US Navy ship to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, when strong winds prevented the USS Chosin from initiating the tow operation. The ship known as Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Protecteur has largely been incapacitated following an onboard fire that wounded 20 and knocked out the propulsion system and much of the electrical power for the vessel. The HMCS Protecteur is 650 km (~404 miles) from Pearl Harbor.

The crew has sufficient food and water which they are being supplied by the USS Michael Murphy. Had everything gone according to schedule, the HMCS Protecteur would be on its way to Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt located in British Columbia. The fire started this past Thursday night. The ship has a 279 person crew along with two civilian contractors and 17 family members. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) routinely brings family members aboard long-distance voyages of naval vessels.

Once the tow effort is underway, the USS Sioux will following alongside the USS Chosin to provide additional towing assistance should the situation call for it. Helicopters were used to transfer supplies to the HMCS Protecteur from the USS Murphy. As for the 20 wounded, they were mostly said to have suffered minor wounds and were able to return to duty once their wounds were dressed. However, they continue to receive periodic checkups by the ship’s medical crew.

As per Commodore Bob Auchterlonie, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific, the fire constituted what is termed a “significant event” which the crew battled over a lengthy period to contain. Their efforts are credited with likely saving the ship. In addition, Canada has expressed heartfelt thanks to the US for the relief effort currently underway. This is the second case of fire aboard this ship in 12 months.

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High winds prevent attempt to tow fire-damaged HMCS Protecteur
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