GULF OF ADEN – U.S. Navy Sailors and U.S. Marines aboard the Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) held its first swim call of their Western Pacific 2019 deployment in the ship’s well deck July 29, 2019.
Nearly 400 U.S. Navy Sailors and more than 300 U.S. Marines swam into the warm gulf waters via Harpers Ferry's well deck.
The swim call lasted 3 hours and took place in the ship’s well deck by de-ballasting the ship and allowing more than 10 ft. of water in so the crew could enjoy a safe swim avoiding the hazards of being in the open ocean.
“We had a well-controlled de-ballast with no issues,” said Chief Hull Technician Frank Beyer. “De-ballasting allows the ship to take on water in the well deck while keeping the ship stable and afloat.”
The Harpers Ferry has been out to sea for 54 days with no port visits, and the swim call could not have come at a better time to help boost crew morale said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Jaclyn Anderson, Harpers Ferry’s MWR vice president.
“After staring at the water day in and day out, it was amazing to be able to actually get in it,” said Anderson. “It has been very hot and being able to swim was refreshing.”
11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Combat Logistics Battalion 11, Battalion Sgt. Maj., Tausto Cabrerra , jumped in with the crew making this his first swim call at sea in 20 years.
“After so many days at sea along with this heat,” said Cabrerra. “This swim call was the perfect venue.”
Harpers Ferry is part of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.