Tug boats assist in the return of the Royal Canadian Navy auxiliary oil replenishment ship HMCS Protecteur (AOR 509)to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. U.S. Navy Photo
The HMCS Protecteur has arrived safely in Pearly Harbor following recovery efforts led by the U.S. Navy after a major fire aboard the Canadian ship last week.
The HMCS Protecteur and her crew were towed into Pearl Harbor on Thursday, March 6 by the Military Sealift Command fleet ocean tug USNS Sioux (T-ATF 171).
USS Michael Murphy was first to arrive on scene early on February 28 just hours after the fire occurred in the main engine room of the Protecteur, causing the vessel to lose power about 340 nautical miles northeast of Oahu.
Shortly after, the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin arrived on scene and commenced towing operations while transporting food and water to Protecteur via embarked helicopter.
USNS Sioux took over towing operations March 2 following “tow complications” and towed the ship for the remaining four days into port. Michael Murphy returned to port March 4 with 19 family members and civilian contractors from the Protecteur, as well as a Canadian Sailor with a hand injury.
Protecteur was serving as an oil replenishment ship in the Pacific, assisting other ships operating within the area for the month of February when the fire occurred during the ship’s transit back to Esquimalt, British Columbia.
“The incredible courage of the crew of Protecteur and the resiliency of their families during this tumultuous time is truly inspiring,” said Rear Adm. Bill Truelove, commander Maritime Forces Pacific, Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). “The RCN is appreciative of the tremendous support that has been provided by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and all those involved in helping get Protecteur and her crew safely back to Pearl Harbor.”
The ship will remain in Hawaii for an undetermined amount of time while the RCN conducts an initial damage assessment.
The Protecteur was carrying 279 crew, plus 17 of the crew’s family members and two contractors when the fire broke out, causing minor injuries to 20 crew.
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