Kearsarge ESG Conducts Rescue at Sea During COMPTUEX
Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group (KSGESG) assisted in the rescue of three mariners aboard a sailboat in distress May 18. The crew of the 48-foot S/V (sailing vessel) Sea Fever, ages 90, 81 and 50 respectively, were rescued 40 miles off the coast of North Carolina as a result of the combined efforts of amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22 Detachment 1, and Coast Guard Station Fort Macon. When the began taking on water, the Sea Fever crew sent a 'mayday' message reporting they were taking on water. Although they had three pumps energized, they were not able to keep up with the flooding and were going down. U.S. Coast Guard Sector North Carolina responded to the mayday, and sent a request for assistance in their search for the stranded vessel.
Construction of LPD 21 New York Progresses
The amphibious transport dock ship Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) under construction in Northrop Grumman Ship the shipyard. It is the fifth ship to be built in the San Antonio-class of amphibious ships. The bow stem is made of steel from the World Trade Centers and weighs 7.5 metric tons. New York is scheduled to be commissioned in the fall of 2008. U.S. As the ship nears 50 percent completion, the most unique characteristic of the LPD 21 New York's construction process is that the bow stem was formed using steel from the World Trade Center (WTC). In August 2005 NGSS finished construction of the bow stem. Hoisting and welding the 7.5-metric ton bow stem to the ship was completed in August 2006. “It’s a tremendous feeling,” said Capt.
