A US-flagged multipurpose cargo vessel has been evacuated in the Pacific Ocean after developing water ingress, with all crew members safely transferred to a nearby assisting vessel.
SLNC York Evacuated After Water Ingress
The US-flagged cargo ship SLNC York began taking on water in the Pacific Ocean on August 18 while underway, prompting an emergency response and the precautionary evacuation of its entire crew.
The vessel is operated by Schuyler Line Navigation Company (SLNC), based in West Palm Beach, Florida. The company confirmed that all crew members are safe, uninjured and fully accounted for.
The source of the water ingress has not yet been established and remains under investigation.
Crew Safely Transferred to Assisting Vessel
Following the discovery of flooding, the crew and technical teams immediately took action to control the water ingress and stabilize the vessel.
As a precaution, all crew members were transferred to the nearby Pacific Yantai, which responded to assist the distressed vessel.
SLNC said the SLNC York remains stable and is expected to receive further assistance from a support vessel before being taken to port.
The company is working with the US Coast Guard, Japan Coast Guard and other emergency response partners to coordinate the vessel’s safe recovery and movement into port.
Voyage and Location Details
AIS vessel-tracking information indicates that SLNC York had been sailing from Honolulu, Hawaii, toward Naha, Japan, when the incident occurred.
The exact position of the vessel has not been publicly disclosed. SLNC has also not released details regarding the extent of the damage or confirmed the port where the vessel will ultimately be taken.
AIS information showed the assisting Pacific Yantai listing Yeosu, Republic of Korea, as its destination.
Vessel Plays a Role in US Maritime Security
The incident involves a vessel with a strategic role beyond commercial cargo operations.
SLNC York participates in the US Maritime Administration’s Maritime Security Program. Under this programme, commercially operated US-flag vessels that are considered militarily useful are made available to support US Department of Defense sealift requirements during national emergencies or wartime.
The vessel is therefore part of a wider US-flag commercial fleet that contributes to maintaining strategic maritime transportation capacity.
Vessel Particulars
Built in 2010, SLNC York is a 141.6-metre multipurpose roll-on/roll-off and heavy-lift cargo vessel with a deadweight of approximately 9,500 metric tons and gross tonnage of 12,679.
The ice-class vessel is fitted with two heavy-lift cranes, each capable of handling up to 350 metric tons, and has a service speed of approximately 15.5 knots.
Investigation Continues
The immediate priority remains maintaining the vessel’s stability, supporting the safe recovery operation and ensuring the crew remains safe.
While the crew evacuation has been completed without reported injuries, the circumstances that led to the water ingress are still being investigated.
Further information on the vessel’s exact location, damage assessment, cause of the incident and final port of refuge is expected as the response operation progresses.
The safe evacuation of the crew brings the immediate human-safety aspect of the incident under control, while attention now turns to the condition of SLNC York, the cause of the flooding and the vessel’s safe return to port.