USS Benfold spent 4 days without toilets, AC, galley after power failure in S China Sea

A US Navy destroyer was without essential services for four days after a power outage crippled the ship's systems in the South China Sea, according to CNN. The USS Benfold, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, experienced issues with toilets, galley, air conditioning, and potable water following an engineering failure on July 24. Cmdr Matthew Comer, a spokesperson for the US 7th Fleet, confirmed there were no injuries among the crew.

The power loss also hampered the ship's maneuverability. The cause of the failure is still under investigation. USS Benfold was later towed to Subic Bay in the Philippines for repairs, which concluded on August 8, after which it returned to service. The incident was supported by USS Robert Smalls, which provided meals, and vessels from the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group.

The ship was operating in the South China Sea during late July, when temperatures typically ranged from 32°C to 37°C, exacerbating the lack of air conditioning. This is the second power-related failure for a US Navy destroyer in the Indo-Pacific this year. In May, the USS Higgins also experienced a power and propulsion loss in the region due to an "electrical-system engineering casualty," leaving the ship temporarily unable to maneuver.