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Wednesday, 19 August 2026

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USS Benfold Adrift for Four Days in South China Sea Due to Power Failure

The USS Benfold, a guided-missile destroyer, lost power for four days, impacting sailors' living conditions.

USS Benfold Adrift for Four Days in South China Sea Due to Power Failure
Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Pittman · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

The USS Benfold, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, reportedly lost power due to an engineering casualty while operating in the South China Sea last month. According to reports, this incident left the ship adrift for four days without functional galley services, toilets, or air conditioning for the crew.

The destroyer was part of the George Washington carrier strike group at the time of the incident. Following the power failure, it was subsequently towed to Subic Bay for repairs. The event has raised concerns regarding the strain placed on military personnel during operations.

Reports indicate that the USS Benfold's condition and the implications of the power failure highlight potential issues related to equipment reliability and crew welfare among deployed naval forces.