A US Navy ship en route to the eastern Mediterranean to assist in setting up a pier for aid to Gaza had to turn back last week due to a fire incident, according to a Navy spokesperson.
The ship, known as the USNS 2nd LT John P. Bobo, reported that it had encountered a fire in the engine room while on its way to the eastern Mediterranean to deliver equipment and personnel.
Although the exact impact of this delay on the construction of the floating pier and causeway remains uncertain, the Pentagon had previously indicated that the facility was expected to be operational by late April or early May.
The spokesperson confirmed that the crew successfully evacuated the affected area and used portable extinguishers to extinguish the fire. Fortunately, all crew members and military personnel were safely evacuated, and there were no reported injuries.
Following the incident, the ship returned to Jacksonville, Florida, under its own power using one engine for further evaluation. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation to determine the root cause of the engine room fire.
