Fire onboard HMCS Protecteur. - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

IgiTang · 03-01-2014, 09:57 AM

http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/#!/content/1.2555354

This is my actual ship and fellow ship-mates. I missed the sail due to hip surgery in January. I couldn't be more proud of the men and women of HMCS Protecteur and I'm so grateful that my second family is safe and doing well.

Zulu29 · 03-01-2014, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IgiTang

http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/#!/content/1.2555354

This is my actual ship and fellow ship-mates. I missed the sail due to hip surgery in January. I couldn't be more proud of the men and women of HMCS Protecteur and I'm so grateful that my second family is safe and doing well.

Great job by your fellow sailors putting out that fire! I hope you guys get new boats soon though, preserver and protecteur seem past their best by dates.

IgiTang · 03-01-2014, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulu29

Great job by your fellow sailors putting out that fire! I hope you guys get new boats soon though, preserver and protecteur seem past their best by dates.

Much Thanks. The silver lining is we just got back in November from training for 3 months for this exact scenario. They did an incredible job. I can't give many details other than what has been released to the media but I can tell you that every man and woman of that crew went into that fire to fight it at least twice. And I assure you you they didn't flinch. They focused on saving the ship and in doing so, saving each others lives. Literally, hero type stuff took place. I couldn't be more proud.

I can't comment on the state of our AOR's or our fleet but I can say that we have some of the best trained and most skilled sailors of any country in the world. We make due with the tools we have and we do it very well. I could only imagine how effective we could be with updated equipment.

IgiTang · 03-01-2014, 10:59 PM

Update- USS Chosin is with Pro about 600nm north of Hawaiian islands. Pro is currently trying to re+establish power to the aft end of the ship. MarPac Admiral is on his way down to Hawaii to asses Pro's damage and state of the crew. Pro being towed back to Pearl.

Sucks for the crew as they were 3 days from being home and now have to head back to Pearl and wait in limbo for decisions to be made on how to move forward. I know one of my closest buddies wife is due in the next couple weeks here, hope he and others alike make it home in time to be with their families.

T@T · 03-02-2014, 01:42 AM

Glad everyones safe and sound, but I really feel bad for those poor sailors having to wait out repairs in Hawaii

InSutterWeTrust · 03-02-2014, 07:14 AM

I heard the news yesterday, but just found out this morning one of my cousins is on that ship! Glad to hear things are ok and hopefully wont be too much longer before they can go home.

CaptainCrunch · 03-02-2014, 10:37 AM

Glad to see that there was nobody hurt.

Those ships are old and tired, and in need of retirement.

FlamesAllTheWay · 03-02-2014, 10:49 AM

Good to hear how well it was handled and that everyone is okay. Wonder what the family members on board must have been thinking when they found out it wasn't a drill

Anyways, saw this in the news a few days ago and seems relevant:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-s...sign-1.2546496

The new Berlin-class replenishment ships that are hopefully going to start arriving by 2018 to replace the Protecteur and Preserver. Better late than never I suppose and we just saw why.

Seem like world-class quality ships, perhaps you have some further insight IgiTang?

IgiTang · 03-02-2014, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T@T

Glad everyones safe and sound, but I really feel bad for those poor sailors having to wait out repairs in Hawaii

It doesn't matter where you are in the world, nothing is better than being at home with your family. After a 4 month deployment then home for a few weeks for Christmas, then back out Jan. 6 and now this?
Also, living on ship in foreign port isn't fun..
Sure there are worse places to have to be but... Again, it doesn't matter where you are.

IgiTang · 03-02-2014, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Glad to see that there was nobody hurt.

Those ships are old and tired, and in need of retirement.

People were hurt. Just non-life threatening. But the mental toll... Imagine being on the open ocean, your ship melting out from under you, help over a day and a half away and you and your buddies are fighting for your lives.

IgiTang · 03-02-2014, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InSutterWeTrust

I heard the news yesterday, but just found out this morning one of my cousins is on that ship! Glad to hear things are ok and hopefully wont be too much longer before they can go home.

Very cool. Who's your cousin?

Bigtime · 03-03-2014, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IgiTang

People were hurt. Just non-life threatening. But the mental toll... Imagine being on the open ocean, your ship melting out from under you, help over a day and a half away and you and your buddies are fighting for your lives.

Worst case scenario but surely the USN/USAF could get help to them quicker? Or would that not be the case?

I am thinking the ability of a C-130 or C-17 to air drop supplies/rescue teams to the ship should it have gotten really bad.

undercoverbrother · 03-03-2014, 10:02 AM

Happy to hear no significant injuries.

I am still amazed about out Soldiers/Sailors/Airmen's ability to trust in old outdated equipment.

I am 43, when I was 6 I went on a tour in Halifax of this ship (or it's sister).

Sad days indeed.

InSutterWeTrust · 03-03-2014, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IgiTang

Very cool. Who's your cousin?

David Laurendeau. I am unsure what his rank is or title on the ship.

CaptainCrunch · 03-03-2014, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IgiTang

People were hurt. Just non-life threatening. But the mental toll... Imagine being on the open ocean, your ship melting out from under you, help over a day and a half away and you and your buddies are fighting for your lives.

Pass, I always thought that if I was going to die, I wanted to eat a bullet on Terra Firma.

What your describing would be a similar level of terror, to a pilot in a hit aircraft, or a tank crew in a burning tank.

The worst would be a crashing submarine when the pressure gets high enough to ignite the air around you and if you aren't incinerated the whole either drowning in freezing sea water or watching the Bulk heads give wold be crappy.

Like I said, I was glad that there weren't any serious injuries, any time you can walk away from a piece of burning military equipment its a good day.

I would expect it won't be long until we know specific causes. I would also think that if the fire was serious enough that they won't try to fix the Protecteur, she'll just get an early retirement.

IgiTang · 03-03-2014, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InSutterWeTrust

David Laurendeau. I am unsure what his rank is or title on the ship.

Master Seaman, Mar. Eng. Solid guy. Dont know him too well but nice guy from what I have known.

worth · 03-06-2014, 07:05 AM

So, with the talks of the fire being severe enough to decommission the ship, does that not put the Navy in a tough spot on the West coast?

Looks like the replacement for HMCS Protecteur is the Joint Support Ship, but they won't be commissioned until 2019, which is a long way off.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Support_Ship_Project

CaptainCrunch · 03-06-2014, 08:40 AM

Yes it does, it severely curtails ship deployment and the ability to exercise and support our ships ourselves.

If this boat is decommissioned, which it probably should be now. We'll have to either depend on our allies for supply, or find and rent another ship and crew until the new Joint Supply Ships are ready, which is going to be really expensive.

IgiTang · 03-06-2014, 01:19 PM

I can't give too much detail on the actual state of our fleet due to tactical secrecy, however I can tell you that right now, no one in the Navy knows exactly what is going to happen going forward with shipbuilding or acquiring a established ship.

There is still debate on going with the Berlin class AOR or the Italian vessel rather than going with a JSS.

My preference, being in a trade that focuses strictly on combat but serving on a AOR with no combat ability, would be to have a JSS.

IgiTang · 03-06-2014, 01:29 PM

The boys (and girls) are back alongside Pearl now. Getting setup in hotels, some new civi clothes, a hot meal, a shower and some much needed rest. Pro was within cell range early this morning and finally managed to hear their loved ones voices.
I can only imagine how emotional those conversations must have been.

There will be a quick investigation to see if pro is repairable. I think we all know how that will turn out.
Then arrangements will be made to get people home ASAP.

The USN did an outstanding job taking care of the tigers and FMF guys. First class the whole way. The USN is now focused on making sure the crew of Pro have everything they need over the next couple days.

My opinion, that crew deserves some recognition if not a medal for overcoming a direct threat to themselves and their unit.

I'm really glad I wasn't there, but would have had no choice but to do the same.
I couldn't be more proud to be a Crew Member of HMCS Protecteur and I'm even more proud of my brothers and sisters who faught for their lives and each other and are ALL coming home.