The US Navy’s San Antonio class amphibious warfare ship USS New Orleans suffered a fire on Wednesday while it was off White Beach in Uruma City on the Japanese island of Okinawa. This seemingly ordinary incident of a ship fire, however, has come under the spotlight due to the information discrepancy between the US and Japanese sides.
According to a statement released by the US 7th Fleet, the fire that burned for 12 hours aboard the USS New Orleans (LPD-18) was declared extinguished at 4 am on Thursday local time. However, the Nakagusuku Coast Guard said firefighting efforts were still ongoing as of 8:00 am on Thursday, more than 15 hours after the initial report, according to the NHK.
“The fire began at approximately 4 pm, Aug. 20. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. New Orleans sailors’ firefighting efforts were supported by the crew of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD-22), which is moored at White Beach Naval Facility,” reads the statement. “[The fire] was declared extinguished at 4 am, Aug. 21,” reported the USNI News.
The 25,000-ton warship is now anchored near the White Beach Naval Facility on Okinawa, read the statement from the Japan-based fleet, as per the report.
According to the sea service, two sailors suffered minor injuries and were treated aboard New Orleans.
According to USNI News, a US Navy official did not have additional details on the damage the fire caused, however images from local press show the bulk of the firefighting effort in an area of the ship that is reserved mostly for stores and berthing.
According to Japanese broadcaster NHK, at around 5:00 pm on August 20, a report was received by the Nakagusuku Coast Guard stating, “A fire has broken out on a US Navy ship off White Beach. Firefighting assistance is requested.”
The Nakagusuku Coast Guard said the fire was still being fought as of the following morning, and Japan Self-Defense Forces and private tugboats continued to spray water on the ship throughout the night, while Japan Coast Guard vessels monitored and patrolled the area.
New Orleans is part of the US Navy’s forward-deployed amphibious force based in Sasebo, Japan, according to media reports.
This is not the first time a US amphibious warship caught fire. In 2020, a fire aboard the former big deck amphibious warship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) burned for four days, resulting in the loss of the ship. The Navy subsequently overhauled how the service fights fires in port, reported USNI News.
This incident reveals the loopholes in the damage control system and the sailors’ damage control capabilities on this US Navy warship, said Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs expert. “US Navy ships, including dock landing ships and amphibious assault ships, tend to have long service lives and undergo frequent personnel training. However, inadequate maintenance and support can lead to recurring malfunctions, resulting in fires. And a fire on a warship is potentially a catastrophic issue,” Song told the Global Times on Thursday.
The discrepancy between US and Japanese reports likely stems from the US Navy’s desire to downplay the incident, minimizing its significance and hoping to quickly resolve the matter, said Song. Meanwhile, Japan’s reporting lacks in-depth details about the ship itself, as it may not have full insight into the vessel’s condition, the expert added. GT
