Warships Being Maintained At Port Always Face A Risk Of Fire Damage

The USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship whose size ranks second in the U.S. Navy fleet to that of an aircraft carrier, was shrouded in thick, acrid smoke on Monday as the vessel began listing to its starboard side. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christina Ross

USNI News: Warships in Maintenance Always Face Increased Risk for Fire Damage

Fires are a constant worry for any ship, and every sailor is taught from their earliest days in the service that damage control is everyone’s responsibility. However, that responsibility becomes more complex when a ship is in maintenance. Fewer sailors are typically aboard, and opportunities are greater to spark a fire from welding or other hot work.

The relationship between where the fire started on USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) on Sunday and where maintenance had been taking place is still murky, Navy officials said – with the fire appearing to have originated in the Marine vehicle stowage area near the back of the amphibious assault ship, but no known maintenance work taking place there. Still, this fire comes on the heels of three incidents in the last two years where ships in maintenance suffered damage from fires.

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