Canadian navy ship heading to Pearl Harbor after fire
A U.S. Navy SH-60B Sea Hawk prepares to unload materials aboard the Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS Protecteur. The guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) and guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) are participating in recovery operations of the Protecteur in waters off the coast of Hawaii following a fire aboard Protecteur on Thursday that resulted in minor injuries to crew members aboard.
A 564-foot Royal Canadian navy replenishment oiler is heading to Pearl Harbor and is being aided by two U.S. Navy warships after it experienced an engine room fire at sea and some crew members received minor injuries.
The HMCS Protecteur was returning from operational duties in the mid-Pacific with 279 crew, 17 family members and two civilian contractors when the fire broke out Friday morning, according to the Canadian navy.
"Sailors onboard the warship put out the fire and crew members are managing the situation. Personnel sustained minor injuries but are safe and they are being treated on board," the Canadian navy said.
Protecteur was about 390 miles northeast of Pearl Harbor this morning. The ship has limited power, officials said. An assessment is being conducted to establish the extent of the damage.
The Canadian oiler was returning to its home port of CFB Esquimalt, B.C., when the fire occurred. The U.S. Navy sent the Pearl Harbor ships USS Michael Murphy, a destroyer, and the cruiser USS Chosin to assist the Protecteur.
The Protecteur, commissioned in 1969, participated in the U.S. Navy exercise Koa Kai in late January off Hawaii.
In August, the Protecteur and HMCS Algonquin collided during an exercise while en route to Hawaii. The ships were ordered to return to Esquimalt to assess damages.
