Image source: topwar.ru
In the United States, the story continues with the clarification of the circumstances of the fire on the large landing ship USS Bonhomme Richard, which occurred in 2020, the search and punishment of those responsible (or designated as such) in the incident. So, the US Navy recently announced the punishment of more than 20 navy personnel for involvement in the fire or its severe consequences.
The punishments of 20 sailors were separated from the criminal case initiated against sailor Ryan Sawyer Mays, who was accused of arson. The trial of the sailor will take place from September 19 to September 30, 2022. Mace is considered guilty of deliberate arson. But the sad consequences for the ship could have been avoided if the Navy officers had acted more smoothly at the time of the fire.
The investigation of all the circumstances of the incident revealed such problems as insufficiently attentive fire supervision on the ship, improper maintenance of equipment and insufficient training of crew personnel. Commanders and officers will have to answer for this.
Several senior officers of the ship, including Captain Gregory Scott Toroman – the former commander of the ship, former senior assistant commander Captain Michael Ray and another officer Jose Hernandez received letters of reprimand, and Toroman and Ray were deprived of their salaries.
In addition, retired Vice Admiral Richard Brown, who at that time commanded the surface forces of the Pacific Fleet of the US Navy, was censured in the letter. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro wrote to the retired Vice Admiral that he could not identify and eliminate the lack of normal fire supervision, which led to the death of the ship.
Meanwhile, previously retired Vice Admiral Brown tried in every possible way to present himself as the person who tried to somehow organize the extinguishing of the fire against the background of inaction of other senior officers responsible for the safety of the ship. Brown even published a corresponding interview in the press.
Recall that a fire destroyed the Bonhomme Richard ship, designed to transport thousands of marines, on July 12, 2020. Until now, this fire is considered one of the largest in the history of the American Navy.
