OPC: Making Naval History
In September, 2016, an U.S. shipyard and the Canadian design business of an Italian-owned Norwegian shipyard won the largest vessel procurement contract in U.S. Coast Guard history. Now, Eastern Shipbuilding will build nine — and possibly many more — Vard Marine designs in its Panama City, Fla., shipyard. Early impressions are of a unique vessel not so unlike comparable European designs by Vard Holdings or parent company Fincantieri. An oceangoing hull of clean, classic — some would say Canadian — lines are the platform for an electronics and weapons payload designed…
Tarawa Makes Landmark Launch From LHA Class Ship
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman David A. Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) successfully launched and retrieved raiding craft combat rubber inflatables (CRRC) for the first time from an LHA class ship, March 29. The successful execution proved Tarawa-class ships can utilize these boats for advanced covert insertion of Marine forces ashore. "These types of craft can be launched on all other amphibious ships as well." said Chief Warrant Officer Danny Lee, assistant first lieutenant of 's Deck Department. The morning of the launch, Marines attached to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, staged the CRRCs in the well deck, and carried them to the water's edge. From there, the boats were pushed into the water.