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USNS Niagara Falls Underway from Palau

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS051101-07
Release Date: 11/1/2005 10:27:00 AM

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The Military Sealift Command combat stores ship USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3), which ran aground while departing Malakal Harbor, Palau, at 1 p.m. local time, Oct. 27, freed itself at 4:20 p.m. local time Oct. 29.

There were no injuries or leakage from the ship.

Over the period of two days, the ship transferred fuel and cargo aft within the ship, reducing the weight of the forward area of the ship. During the afternoon high tide period Oct. 29, the ship was able to free itself under its own power and with the assistance of a local tug boat.

Niagara Falls arrived in Guam today for inspections related to the incident. An investigation into the circumstances of the grounding is underway.

A U.S. Navy dive team arrived in Palau Oct. 31 and will begin a detailed assessment of the reef Nov. 1.

Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3) is a combat logistics force ship, specifically designed to deliver large quantities of frozen, chilled and dry provisions, ship’s store resale items, technical repair parts, and general use consumables to fleet task forces operating at sea. Cargo stowage capacity exceeds 596,000 cubic feet. With this stowage capacity, the ship can provide the major portion of logistics requirements for modern naval vessels. This enables naval combatants to remain at sea for long periods of time conducting uninterrupted operations in support of our national military strategy.