In the coming hours, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is expected to arrive at the American naval base in Souda Bay. Following a fire that broke out in the crew quarters, more than 600 sailors have nowhere to sleep. According to information from parapolitika.gr, beds have already arrived from America, and once the necessary repairs are completed, an appropriate investigation will be conducted to determine what caused the damage to the aircraft carrier. What is certain is that it will remain in Chania for approximately eight to 10 days to complete the necessary repairs.
As confirmed by a senior US official, the repairs will focus on restoring the areas affected by the fire and smoke damage.
The fire that broke out on USS Gerald R. Ford
The fire, which occurred on March 12 in the aft laundry facility, prompted an extensive response operation. Sailors were relocated to different areas of the ship, while the aircraft carrier’s operations were temporarily suspended, according to a Naval Institute source. One sailor was injured during the fire suppression operation and was transported for medical care, while two others received treatment for minor injuries. More than 200 sailors showed symptoms of smoke inhalation, however they returned to their duties after receiving care, according to USNI News reports.
Investigation into the causes of the USS Gerald R. Ford fire
“The ship’s crew is inspecting and renovating the affected areas, while the cause of the fire is being investigated,” a 5th Fleet spokesperson told USNI News. “The ship continues to operate in the Red Sea, executing Central Command missions in support of Operation Epic Fury.”
Smoke damage extended to the bunks, forcing the Navy to remove 1,000 mattresses from the under-construction USS John F. Kennedy in Norfolk, Virginia, to send to the Ford. Additionally, approximately 2,000 uniforms and other clothing items were collected for the crew, as most of the ship’s laundry services remain out of operation, according to USNI News sources.
Initial damage assessments suggested the need for extensive repairs, almost at reconstruction level. As reported by the New York Times, damage control operations lasted more than a day, although –as clarified by a Naval Institute source– it was not a continuous 30-hour fire as initially reported.
