Video: US Navy Ship Catches Fire Off Okinawa, Two Sailors Injured

A fire broke out on the U.S. Navy’s amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans off Okinawa, Japan, and was extinguished after nearly 12 hours of firefighting.

The incident injured two sailors, who were treated for minor injuries onboard, according to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet.

The fire began at around 4 p.m. local time on August 20, while the ship was anchored off White Beach Naval Facility in Uruma City on Okinawa’s east coast.

The USS New Orleans is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock measuring 684 feet (208 meters) in length and displacing 24,000 tons.

Footage showing firefighting ships with the Japanese Coast Guard fighting a fire onboard the San Antonio-Class Amphibious Transport Dock, USS New Orleans (LPD-18), off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. pic.twitter.com/czcUFgvSO8

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) August 20, 2025

The ship normally carries a crew of more than 360 sailors and is capable of transporting up to 800 Marines in wartime. Its defensive systems include two 30 mm Bushmaster II guns for surface threats and RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile launchers for aerial security.

When the fire broke out, the ship’s crew immediately began firefighting operations, supported by crews from the USS San Diego, which was also moored at White Beach.

Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Japan Coast Guard also joined the efforts, deploying firefighting tugs and patrol boats.

The White Beach facility serves as a key staging area for U.S. Marines and their equipment, allowing amphibious ships like the New Orleans to load and deploy troops, vehicles, and landing craft.

NEW: Fire broke out aboard the USS New Orleans (LPD-18) while docked at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan.

US Navy & Japan Self-Defense Forces fought the blaze.

Cause, damage, and casualties not yet confirmed. pic.twitter.com/xbWLGoA1Xd

— Clash Report (@clashreport) August 20, 2025

The U.S. Navy confirmed that no evacuation order was issued during the incident and that the New Orleans crew will remain aboard. Additional berthing and services are available on the USS San Diego and at Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa, if needed.

Analyst Carl Schuster, a former U.S. Navy captain, said fires at sea are always dangerous because warships carry large amounts of flammable materials. He warned that the damage could keep the USS New Orleans out of action for 60 to 120 days.

Schuster added that the Navy should once again review its fire prevention and firefighting procedures, saying such incidents were once considered rare.

The USS New Orleans, homeported in Sasebo on the Japanese island of Kyushu, is part of the U.S. 7th Fleet.

References: Reuters, CNN

Source: Maritime Shipping News