U.S. Destroyer USS Benfold Lost Power for Four Days in the South China Sea

The U.S. destroyer USS Benfold was without power for four days while conducting routine operations in the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet told CNN.

On July 24, due to an engineering malfunction in the generators, the ship lost its ability to maneuver independently and was left without toilets, air conditioning, a functioning galley, and drinking water production.

The Navy did not specify the exact location of the accident. However, according to USNI News, the destroyer was in the South China Sea. In late July, daytime temperatures in that area ranged from about 32 to 37 °C.

During the incident, the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls assisted USS Benfold by providing the crew with ready-to-eat meals. Other ships in the USS George Washington carrier strike group also assisted the destroyer during those days.

Eventually, the Benfold was towed to a bay in the Philippines for repairs. The U.S. Navy stated that the repairs were completed by August 8, after which the ship returned to active duty.

The cause of the generator failure is currently under investigation. This is the second such incident involving a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Indo-Pacific region this year: in April, the USS Higgins also lost power and the ability to maneuver for several hours due to an electrical system malfunction.

Due to the heavy strain on the U.S. Navy caused by the war in the Middle East, reports of operational difficulties affecting various types of vessels are becoming increasingly common.

USS Benfold and USS Higgins are both Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which form the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet. It has more than 70 such destroyers in service.

USS Benfold is typically part of the group accompanying USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier currently en route to the Middle East to replace USS Abraham Lincoln.

The crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln experienced a sharp decline in morale after more than 250 days at sea without a proper port call.

The sailors are working long shifts, have already spent about 40 days in continuous combat operations, and are facing disruptions in supplies, mail, food, and water. Against this backdrop, their relatives report a decline in morale and instances of suicidal thoughts.

Aircraft carriers typically call at port every 30-45 days to restock supplies, undergo maintenance, and give the crew time to rest.

The carrier was originally scheduled for a routine deployment in the Pacific region but was diverted to the Middle East due to hostilities. This disrupted normal logistics routes, and the crew was unable to take regular rest periods in port.

The Navy is working to restore normal supply operations and has already managed to provide the aircraft carrier with the necessary supplies during a brief stopover in Oman.