News Summary
Eleven Navy personnel were hospitalized for smoke inhalation due to a fan malfunction on the USS Harpers Ferry at a San Diego shipyard. The incident occurred during maintenance and led to smoke buildup, prompting emergency services to respond. Fortunately, all personnel were treated and released from the hospital, highlighting the importance of safety measures in naval operations.
San Diego – Eleven Navy personnel were hospitalized for smoke inhalation resulting from a fan malfunction on the USS Harpers Ferry at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard. The incident took place shortly after 7 p.m. on Saturday at the East Harbor Drive facility, which is located next to Naval Base San Diego.
The USS Harpers Ferry, classified as LSD 49, is currently undergoing maintenance as part of a $64 million repair and modernization project. The malfunction occurred near the gym area on the third deck of the ship, causing a buildup of smoke. As a result, several personnel reported experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of smoke inhalation.
All affected individuals were promptly transported to local hospitals for further assessment. Fire crews from multiple agencies, including Fedfire, Fire Rescue, and NASSCO Fire, responded to the situation and effectively dispelled the smoke. The San Diego Fire Department confirmed that a total of 11 personnel received treatment for smoke inhalation. By Sunday morning, all personnel involved had been treated and subsequently released from the hospital.
USS Harpers Ferry Overview
The USS Harpers Ferry is the lead ship of its class of amphibious dock landing ships. Its primary mission is to support operations by transporting Marines, landing craft, and vehicles. The ship is homeported in San Diego and plays a crucial role in ferrying Marines and equipment from Camp Pendleton.
Concerns About Naval Ship Conditions
According to a report from the U.S. General Accountability Office, approximately half of the Navy’s amphibious warships, including those in the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, are reported to be in poor condition. The USS Harpers Ferry itself is expected to potentially be decommissioned by 2028. Previous incidents involving smoke or fire on warships have raised safety concerns, notably the 2020 fire on the USS Bonhomme Richard, which culminated in extensive investigations and discussions about naval ship safety protocols.
Safety Measures in Place
Following the incident on the USS Harpers Ferry, safety measures and protocols regarding equipment maintenance and emergency response procedures are likely to be reviewed. The rapid response from the fire crews and the immediate medical attention provided to the personnel involved demonstrate the preparedness of emergency services in handling such incidents.
Conclusion
Overall, the situation aboard the USS Harpers Ferry underscores the importance of maintaining safety standards on naval vessels, especially during maintenance and modernization projects. Continuous assessments and improvements in safety protocols will be critical in preventing similar incidents in the future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- 10 News
- Wikipedia: USS Harpers Ferry
- CBS News
- Google Search: USS Harpers Ferry smoke inhalation
- San Diego Union Tribune
- Google News: USS Harpers Ferry
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: USS Harpers Ferry
- NBC San Diego
- Google Scholar: USS Harpers Ferry smoke incident
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
