Japanese destroyer damaged in collision with Korean ship
The Japanese MSDF destroyer Kurama collided with a South Korean container ship last night, igniting a fire that looked ugly but did not seriously injure anyone:
The JS Kurama hit the South Korean craft Carina Star under a bridge linking the Japanese main islands of Kyushu and Honshu in the narrow Kanmon Strait.
A giant hole was pierced in the destroyer’s bow where highly flammable paint was stored and instantly sparked the inferno.
Fire fighters aboard boats battled the blaze on the 4,500-ton naval vessel for hours.
The larger, 7,400-ton container ship fared better following the impact and flames burned only for a short time
It is not clear which ship is at fault, but somebody in the MSDF will probably need to take responsibility for the decision to store dangerously flammable paint out on the front of the ship.
[video via FG forums]
Update: A note on paint storage from John M. Andresen (USN ret.):
The “Paint Locker” aboard a naval destroyer type ship is normally located in the bow area where it is administered by the “Boatswain’s Mates” who perform most of the exterior preservation work. Other locations toward the center or stern would bring it closer to engineering spaces where other flammable materials, ordnance and fuels lines would be in proximity. Isolating the paint in the bow is the best option.
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