Update: Fire-Damaged Canadian Warship Under Tow Again After Line Snaps

A snapped tow line is the latest problem as the disabled Canadian naval supply ship HMCS Protecteur heads back to Hawaii after an engine room fire left it dead in the water.

Over the weekend the U.S. navy cruiser USS Chosin began towing the Canadian navy ship toward port in Hawaii, but on Sunday the tow line broke. The tow line has now been reattached to the U.S. fleet ocean tug USNS Sioux and is expected in Hawaii by the end of the week.

Twenty crewmembers suffered minor injuries fighting the Feb. 27 blaze that caused significant damage to the engine room and surrounding compartments.

Nearly 300 people were aboard, including 17 family members, selected to join the crew on its return leg to Esquimalt, which the Canadian Navy describes a common practice at the conclusion of long sea missions.

A plan is still being worked out for what happens when the ship and crew arrive in Hawaii.