US Navy destroyer loses power for four days in South China Sea

WASHINGTON - The USS Benfold, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, was left without power for four days in the South China Sea last month following an engineering failure.

"On July 24, 2026, while conducting routine operations in the Indo-Pacific, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) reported an engineering casualty involving its generators, causing a loss of power,” Cmdr. Matthew Comer, a spokesperson for the US 7th Fleet, told USNI News in a statement.

"There were no injuries to the crew, who demonstrated resilience, grit, professionalism and unwavering steadiness in their response,” Comer said.

According to the statement, the power outage left the sailors without galley services, functioning toilets or air conditioning and affected the ship’s potable water supply.

Comer said the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, with which the Benfold had been sailing, supported the destroyer during the incident. The USS Robert Smalls, a cruiser attached to the strike group, helped provide meals for the crew.

An investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing. - BERNAMA