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Engine Room Fire in HMCS Protecteur

Suggestions now that this fire was anticipated.
DND warned of dangerous and unsafe electrical on HMCS Protecteur
CTV News
31 Jul 2014

OTTAWA - National Defence was warned a year before the devastating fire aboard HMCS Protecteur that the electrical system, main engine controls and navigation system aboard both of the navy's supply ships were on their last legs and prone to catastrophic failure.

The unusually blunt assessment was contained in a four-page confidential briefing note prepared by the former head of the navy as he was about to retire last year.

The briefing note, penned by former vice-admiral Paul Maddison, was prepared as the Harper government debated whether long-promised replacement vessels would take priority at the assigned shipyard in Vancouver -- or a new coast guard heavy icebreaker.

Maddison noted that the power generators were showing their age and that replacement parts were no longer available for both Protecteur and her sister ship HMCS Preserver.

There had been failures of the turbo generators that caused ship-wide blackouts and loss of propulsion, creating "a potentially dangerous and unsafe situation for the ship and crew."

The navy has refused to say what caused the Feb. 27 fire aboard Protecteur, which left the ship powerless and adrift off Hawaii.
 
MCG said:
Suggestions now that this fire was anticipated.

Warships are dangerous, old warships especially so. Fires happen on ships at sea, that is why we spend so much time and effort to train the crew in firefighting and damage control.

None of this should come as a surprise to anyone who has ever been onboard the tanker before...
 
MSEng314 said:
Warships are dangerous, old warships especially so. Fires happen on ships at sea, that is why we spend so much time and effort to train the crew in firefighting and damage control.

None of this should come as a surprise to anyone who has ever been onboard the tanker before...
I was surprised we got away with it for so long  and that when it came, no one was seriously injured or killed.
 
jollyjacktar said:
I was surprised we got away with it for so long  and that when it came, no one was seriously injured or killed.

Excellent point, perhaps it is proof that there is a reason why we train: so that when it's real, we can deal with it safely and effectively.
 
Welcome to the world of the slow motion crisis:

The Canadian Navy’s slow-motion crisis


How aging ships, budget cuts and outdated military priorities are crippling the Canadian Navy

http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/the-canadian-navys-slow-motion-crisis/
 
daftandbarmy said:
Welcome to the world of the slow motion crisis:

The Canadian Navy’s slow-motion crisis


How aging ships, budget cuts and outdated military priorities are crippling the Canadian Navy

http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/the-canadian-navys-slow-motion-crisis/

Sadly you could swap out army or air force for navy and still have an accurate article.
 
this sounds so familiar, hmm i wonder where, I have no idea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_XYb3AWK58
 
The USS Chosin received the CF Unit Commendation on Saturday.

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?mthd=tp&crtr.page=2&nid=985339&crtr.tp1D=1

Chief of the Defence Staff recognizes USS Chosin with Unit Commendation

June 7, 2015 - Ottawa - The Canadian Forces Unit Commendation was presented yesterday to USS Chosin for exceptional support of the crew of HMCS Protecteur when it suffered a fire at sea last year.

Rear Admiral Bill Truelove, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific and Joint Task Force Pacific, presented the award on behalf of General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, at a reception onboard Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Calgary while the ship was participating in Fleet Week at the Portland Rose Festival in Portland, Oregon.

Quick Facts
•On February 27, 2014, HMCS Protecteur experienced a major engine room fire at sea while returning to its home port of Esquimalt, British Columbia, after a two-month deployment in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
•The courage and professionalism of the entire crew saved the ship, but the damage resulted in a loss of power and propulsion. HMCS Protecteur was stopped in the water in challenging weather conditions 340 nautical miles northeast of Pearl Harbor and in need of assistance.
•USS Chosin rendered invaluable assistance by engaging in casualty evacuations, and providing continuous transfer of essential equipment and supplies in hazardous conditions which ensured the safety of HMCS Protecteur and her crew.
•On May 26, 2015, USS Michael Murphy and Navy Region Hawaii were also awarded with the Canadian Forces Unit Commendation for their exceptional support to HMCS Protecteur during their time of need.
•The Canadian Forces Unit Commendation is a group award created to recognize distinguished service by personnel within a military unit.

Created by the Chief of the Defence Staff in 1980, the commendation is awarded to any formation, unit or sub-unit of the Canadian Armed Forces, or to any similar organization of a foreign armed force working with or in conjunction with the Canadian Armed Forces, that has performed a deed or activity considered beyond the demand of normal duty.
 
Bravo Zulu to our US Navy Brethren for a job well done in a time of need.  :salute:
 
The USN Salvage branch also did the tow and were really fantastic to work with, and extremely professional.

Not sure if it'll be done officially, but the USN salvage manual may be adopted directly as the standard we use for future tows.

All in all, big thanks to the USN on this one.
 
I love the USN.  They have always been friendly, helpful, dependable. Everything you want in an friend and neighbour.  They are my favorite foreign peers overall.
 
Exerpt from CANFORGEN 163/15 261306Z AUG 15

CF UNIT COMMENDATION

(1) USS CHOSIN - FOR RENDERING INVALUABLE ASSISTANCE TO HMCS PROTECTEUR AFTER A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE ROOM FIRE WHILE AT SEA, 1 TO 6 MAR 14

(2) USS MICHAEL MURPHY - FOR OUTSTANDING ACTIONS, COMMENDABLE SEAMANSHIP AND TECHNICAL ACUMEN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKE HMCS PROTECTEUR UNDER TOW FOLLOWING AN ENGINE ROOM FIRE, 28 FEB TO 1 MAR 14

(3) USNS SIOUX - FOR EXCEPTIONAL TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND INCREDIBLE SEAMANSHIP WHEN SUCCESSFULLY TAKING THE CRIPPLED HMCS PROTECTEUR UNDER TOW TO PEARL HARBOR, FOLLOWING AN ENGINE ROOM FIRE, 1 TO 6 MAR 14

(4) USN REGION HAWAII - FOR EXEMPLARY COMMITMENT IN ENSURING THE SAFE RETURN OF HMCS PROTECTEUR TO PEARL HARBOR AND THEN TO CANADA, FOLLOWING AN ENGINE ROOM FIR 28 FEB TO MAY 14
 
211RadOp said:
Exerpt from CANFORGEN 163/15 261306Z AUG 15
.
.
.
(4) USN REGION HAWAII - FOR EXEMPLARY COMMITMENT IN ENSURING THE SAFE RETURN OF HMCS PROTECTEUR TO PEARL HARBOR AND THEN TO CANADA, FOLLOWING AN ENGINE ROOM FIR 28 FEB TO MAY 14

I hope they didn't actually mispell fire in an official CANFORGEN CF UNIT COMMENDATION
 
They did for an MSM announcement on the same message.  Evidently the two soldiers perfomed "A DARING PARACHUTE JUM".
 
01  11  171231Z AUG  16  RR      UUUU                CANFORGEN

            NDHQ CMPC OTTAWA
            CANFORGEN
UNCLAS CANFORGEN 146/16 CMP 066/16
SIC WAK
SUBJECT: HONOURS AND DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT
BILINGUAL MESSAGE/MESSAGE BILINGUE
1. ON 27 FEB 14 WHILE OPERATING 300 NAUTICAL MILES NORTH THE
HAWAIIAN ISLAND, A MAJOR FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE MAIN ENGINE ROOM OF
HER MAJESTY S CANADIAN SHIP (HMCS) PROTECTEUR. THE MAGNITUDE AND THE
INTENSITY OF THIS EVENT RANKS ONLY SECOND TO THE HMCS KOOTENAY FIRE
OF 23 OCT 69, (WHERE 9 SAILORS PERISHED AND 50 WERE INJURED), THE
SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT TO THE RCN WERE CRITICAL, BUT LUCKILY, DUE
IN PART TO THE CREW S TRAINING COMBINED WITH THEIR COURAGEOUS
ACTIONS THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AND FOLLOWING DAY, THEY WERE ABLE TO
SAVE THEIR SHIP WITH NO LOSS OF LIFE - A SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT
AT THE TIME WHEN CONSIDERING PROTECTEUR HAD CLOSE TO 300 CREW
MEMBERS ONBOARD, INCLUDING 17 PASSENGERS AND 2 CONTRACTORS. THE CREW
REACTED BRILLIANTLY AND WITH STEADFAST COURAGE IN THE FACE OF THE
WORST CASE SCENARIO FOR A SHIP, A FIRE FAR AT SEA, IN A MAIN
ENGINEERING SPACE
2. AS A RESULT OF THIS EVENT, ON BEHALF OF THE QUEEN, HIS EXCELLENCY
THE GOVERNOR GENERAL HAS APPROVED NATIONAL HONOURS FOR THE FOLLOWING
DESERVING INDIVIDUALS
A. MERITORIOUS SERVICE CROSS
(1) CDR J.A. ELBOURNE - FOR INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND OUTSTANDING
ACTIONS AS CO. HIS CRITICAL DECISION MAKING KEPT HIS CREW FOCUSED
AND STEADFAST IN THEIR DETERMINED FIGHT TO SAVE THE SHIP
(2) LCDR J. MURRAY - FOR EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP AND REMARKABLE
PROFESSIONALISM AS XO. HIS OUTSTANDING ACTIONS AND FORCEFUL
DETERMINATION WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN SAVING THE LIVES OF THE CREW AND
THE SHIP
(3) CPO 1 I.M. KELLY - FOR REMARKABLE LEADERSHIP AND SELFLESS
DEDICATION AS COXN. HIS BOUNDLESS DRIVE AND PERSONAL KINDNESS WERE
ESSENTIAL IN ENABLING THE CREW TO FIGHT THE FIRE
(4) PO 1 M.A. PENNER - FOR EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP AND UNMATCHED
TECHNICAL ACUMEN AS CERA. HIS TIRELESS ACTIONS IN A SMOKE FILLED
COMPARTMENT PREVENTED CATASTROPHIC EXPLOSIONS AND SERIOUS INJURY OR
DEATH
B. MEDAL OF BRAVERY
(1) PO 2 A.L. AUBRY - FOR GREAT COURAGE AND SELFLESS DETERMINATION
IN IMMEDIATELY ATTACKING THE FIRE IN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS
C. MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL
(1) CAPT M. GIBBONS - FOR LEADERSHIP AND OUTSTANDING PASTORAL
SUPPORT AS THE SHIP S PADRE
(2) PO 1 P.R.J. STORIE - FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP IN RESTORING
POWER TO THE SHIP UNDER DANGEROUS CONDITIONS
(3) LS A.C. ASTLES - FOR OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONALISM AND LEADERSHIP
AS ATTACK TEAM LEADER AND FIRE BOUNDARY DUTIES. HE PLAYED A CRITICAL
ROLE IN SAVING LIVES AND EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE
(4) LS C.L. KOROLYK - FOR SELFLESS DEDICATION AND LEADERSHIP AS A
MEMBER OF THE ATTACK TEAM. HE ENTERED THE FIRE ZONES SEVERAL TIMES
AND VOLUNTEERED FOR HAZARDOUS DUTIES. HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE
FIREFIGHTING EFFORTS HELPED SAVE THE SHIP AND SHIPMATES
3. IN RELATION TO THE ABOVE MENTIONED, THE CDS HAS APPROVED
DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS FOR THE FOLLOWING DESERVING INDIVIDUALS AND
UNITS
A.  CDS COMMENDATION
(1) LCDR J. LAFONTAINE - FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND SELFLESS
DEDICATION REGARDLESS OF SUFFERING FROM FIRST DEGREE BURNS TO HIS
LOWER LEGS
(2) PO 2 I.B. CAMERON - FOR SELFLESS ACTIONS AND LEADERSHIP AS ONE
OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND ATTACK TEAM LEADER
(3) MS A. BROWN - FOR DEMONSTRATING GREAT DETERMINATION AND SELFLESS
DEDICATION BY PUSHING HIMSELF TO THE POINT OF EXHAUSTION TO PROTECT
THE SHIP AND SHIPMATES
(4) LS S.B. MACDOUGALL - FOR EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP AND DEVOTION TO
DUTY AS A MEMBER OF TWO ATTACK TEAMS. HIS MENTAL AND PHYSICAL
FORTITUDE TO ENDURE EXTREME CONDITIONS ENABLED THE TEAM TO CONTAIN
AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE
(5) AB D.J.T. GREEN - FOR OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONALISM AND
PERSEVERANCE AS A MEMBER OF THREE SEPARATE ATTACK TEAMS
(6) AB M. CHARLESWORTH - FOR EXCEPTIONAL DETERMINATION AS A MEMBER
OF THE FIRST ATTACK TEAM. HE LED A SHIPMATE IN DISTRESS TO SAFETY
BEFORE RETURNING TO HIS DUTIES
B. CF UNIT COMMENDATION
(1) HMCS PROTECTEUR - FOR PROFESSIONALISM AND REMARKABLE DEDICATION.
THE TEAMWORK OF THE ENTIRE CREW, WHILE LIVING IN EXTREME AND ARDUOUS
CONDITIONS, HELPED SAVE THE SHIP
(2) USS CHOSIN - FOR RENDERING INVALUABLE ASSISTANCE TO HMCS
PROTECTEUR AFTER A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE ROOM FIRE WHILE AT SEA, 1 TO
6 MAR 14
(3) USS MICHAEL MURPHY - FOR OUTSTANDING ACTIONS, COMMENDABLE
SEAMANSHIP AND TECHNICAL ACUMEN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKE HMCS
PROTECTEUR UNDER TOW FOLLOWING AN ENGINE ROOM FIRE, 28 FEB TO 1 MAR
14
(4) USNS SIOUX - FOR EXCEPTIONAL TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND INCREDIBLE
SEAMANSHIP WHEN SUCCESSFULLY TAKING THE CRIPPLED HMCS PROTECTEUR
UNDER TOW TO PEARL HARBOR, FOLLOWING AN ENGINE ROOM FIRE, 1 TO 6 MAR
14
(5) USN REGION HAWAII - FOR EXEMPLARY COMMITMENT IN ENSURING THE
SAFE RETURN OF HMCS PROTECTEUR TO PEARL HARBOR AND THEN TO CANADA,
FOLLOWING AN ENGINE ROOM FIRE, 28 FEB TO MAY 14
4. THE INFORMATION ABOVE REFLECTS THE SUBSTANTIVE RANK HELD BY THE
MEMBERS AT THE DATE OF INCIDENT. MPRRS WILL BE UPDATED BY DH R UPON
RELEASE OF THIS CANFORGEN
5. I EXTEND MY SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL RECIPIENTS. THE
LEADERSHIP, PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION YOU HAVE DISPLAYED
REFLECT WELL ON OUR DEFENCE TEAM
END OF ENGLISH TEXT / LE TEXTE FRANCAIS SUIT
 
BZ indeed!  Well done, the Ship's crew! :salute:
 
BZ to all indeed, thanks for sharing the CANFORGEN (DVPNI is slow).  As I type this I am looking directly at the Stbd side of ExPROTECTEUR as the backdrop (currently on site this week).
 
As the son of a survivor of the Kooteney explosion and fire I have an appreciation of what these fine sailors went though.

Bravo Zulu to all on board. :salute:
 
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