Fires on U.S. Navy Ship and Maersk Vessel Contained in Separate Incidents

Two separate maritime fires — one involving a U.S. Navy warship off Japan’s Okinawa and the other on a commercial container ship near Liberia — have been brought under control, according to official reports.

The U.S. Navy confirmed that flames broke out aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans (LPD 18) while anchored near the White Beach Naval Facility in southern Japan on Wednesday afternoon. The fire, which began at around 16:00 local time on August 20, was fully extinguished by 04:00 the following morning. Assistance came from Japan’s Self-Defence Forces, the Japan Coast Guard, and the crew of the USS San Diego (LPD 22), also stationed at White Beach. Two sailors sustained minor injuries and received treatment. An investigation into the cause is underway, and the New Orleans crew remains aboard the vessel.

In a separate case, Danish shipping giant Maersk reported that a blaze on the container ship Marie Maersk, located off the coast of Liberia, had been contained after days of firefighting. The incident, which began on Wednesday of last week, saw the crew work continuously to stop the flames from spreading. Over the weekend, their efforts successfully stabilized the situation. Maersk said external firefighting teams are expected to board the ship to reinforce the operation, after which the vessel will be redirected to a port of refuge. All crew members are safe, the company added, though it declined to provide details on possible cargo damage.

Both incidents highlight the risks faced by naval and commercial vessels alike, as investigations continue into the causes and longer-term impacts of the fires.

Photo credit: Japanese Coast Guard. All rights reserved.