US Navy Destroyer Left Without Power in South China Sea
The USS Benfold, a US Navy destroyer, suffered a critical failure in its generators while operating in the South China Sea, leaving it without power for four days.
## US Navy Destroyer Experiences Critical Failure in South China Sea A US Navy destroyer, the USS Benfold, has experienced a critical failure in its generators while operating in the South China Sea. The incident left the ship without power for four days, prompting assistance from other US Navy vessels and private tugboats. According to a statement from the 7th Fleet's public affairs officer, Cmdr. Matthew Comer, the failure occurred on July 24 while the USS Benfold was conducting routine operations in the Indo-Pacific region. The destroyer reported a mechanical failure in its generators, resulting in a loss of power. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the crew, who demonstrated resilience, determination, and professionalism in their response to the emergency. The crew was assisted by the USS Robert Smalls, a Ticonderoga-class cruiser, which provided support with food preparation for the crew of the damaged ship. The loss of power left the crew without access to basic amenities such as kitchen facilities, bathrooms, and air conditioning. The supply of potable water was also affected. ## Repairs and Recovery in the Philippines After four days without power, the USS Benfold was assisted into the Subic Bay Naval Base in the Philippines by private tugboats. The ship was received by technicians from the Japanese Regional Maintenance Center and the Naval Ship Repair Facility. The crew was provided with contracted accommodation off the ship, and the electrical supply was restored on July 30. Repairs to the generators took more than a week to complete, with the ship finally departing the base on August 7. The recovery of the USS Benfold in Subic Bay is significant for the US Navy, as it provides a major logistics hub near the South China Sea and a strategic point for relations between the Philippines and the US, as well as the reinforcement of Washington's presence in the region. The USS Benfold was spotted in Yokosuka, Japan, on August 14, suggesting that it may not join the USS George Washington's strike group in the near future, possibly for further maintenance and preparation before a new deployment.
