Local vessel heading for affected area (HSV 2 Swift)

Corpus Christi Caller-Times ^ | January 5, 2005 | Staff

[SwinneySwitch]

A high-speed vessel left Naval Station Ingleside this week on its way to help tsunami disaster relief efforts, base officials said.

Fifi Kieschnick, a public affairs officer for Naval Station Ingleside, said High Speed Vessel 2 Swift was deployed Monday to the vicinity of Singapore. Kieschnick said she did not know how many people were on the ship or how long they would be assisting relief efforts.

[SwinneySwitch]

High Speed Vessel 2 Swift

Wonder how long it will take her to get to Singapore?

[Lokibob]

I seem to remember that we are leasing this ship from an Australian company, but not sure.

[Paraclete]

Can it fly? Is the Captain named Flash Gordon?

[Lokibob]

I was close, it is Tasmania.

From this web site:

http://www.cmwc.navy.mil/HSV%202%20SWIFT.htm

"Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., has contracted to lease High Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 SWIFT from Bollinger/Incat USA, LLC, Lockport, La., for the U.S. Navy.  (snip)

Rear Adm. Paul J. Ryan, Commander, Mine Warfare Command, Cmdr. Mark Sakaguchi, HSV 2 SWIFT Commanding Officer, and the ship's crew traveled to Hobart, Tasmania, in August 2003 to accept the ship from the contractor on behalf of the U.S. Navy."

[Nova Reservist]

The US Military has a total of 4 of these "High Speed Vessels" on lease, all are derived from commercial car ferry's made in Australia. The Aussies are the world leading developers of these vessels and both companies that make them have teamed up with US companies to make them here.

They are quite impressive ships and can do over 40 knots loaded, the one pictured above can take two helicopters, launch and recover small boats, and carry vehicles and land them to shore via a ramp. They are made of aluminum but will be worth their weight in gold on this operation, at least two will be used there, so far.