The crew of the U.S.-flagged cargo ship SLNC York has successfully evacuated after the vessel began to take on water in the Pacific Ocean, as reported by its operator, Schuyler Line Navigation Company (SLNC). The incident transpired on August 18, while the ship was navigating in the Pacific, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the water ingress.
In response to the flooding, the crew and technical teams acted quickly to manage the situation. The SLNC York remains stable and is set to be aided by a support vessel for transport back to port. For safety reasons, all crew members were transferred to the nearby Pacific Yantai, which had arrived to assist in the emergency. According to SLNC, all crew are unharmed and accounted for.
The SLNC York was en route from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Naha, Japan, when the incident occurred. Part of the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Security Program, the vessel is critical for supporting Department of Defense sealift needs in times of conflict or national emergency. SLNC is collaborating with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Japan Coast Guard, and other emergency response teams to facilitate a safe return to port. The exact location of the vessel, extent of damage, and final port destination have not been disclosed.
