The US Navy destroyer USS Benfold was left without power and unable to manoeuvre independently for four days during operations in the South China Sea last month after a generator-related engineering failure, media reported.
The breakdown reportedly knocked out the ship’s galley, toilets, air conditioning and drinking-water services while temperatures in the region were between 32C and 37C, forcing the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls to provide hot meals before the Benfold was towed to the Philippines for repairs.
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, which normally operates with the USS George Washington carrier strike group, has since returned to service.
The incident occurred while the group was conducting a US “freedom of navigation” operation challenging Beijing’s maritime claims and comes amid reports of maintenance and living-condition problems aboard other US Navy vessels.
CNN’s account follows reports of malfunctioning toilets and food shortages aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln during its lengthy Persian Gulf deployment, while the USS Gerald R. Ford has returned to the United States for repairs after experiencing several technical problems.
