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Wednesday 12 September 2012


Maritime Museum of San Diego Welcomes Vietnam War-Era Swift Boat

Special Ceremony Involves 35 Swift Boat Veterans; Boat Restoration to Follow

The Maritime Museum of San Diego announced today that it will present its latest historic acquisition, P24, a Vietnam War-era Swift Boat, at a special ceremony on Tuesday, September 18th, at 11:00 a.m. The event, to be attended by 35 Swift Boat Veterans and Mayor Jerry Sanders, among other dignitaries, takes place at the Museum located at 1492 Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego. It marks the first public appearance of the vessel acquired in July from the Republic of Malta. Visual fanfare accompanies the ship's entrance to San Diego Bay, as it will be escorted by historic ships the Californian and the SD Harbor Pilot, while the Navy Region Southwest Ceremonial Band and a canon salute further heighten the excitement. After restoration, the fully operational, 50-foot Swift Boat will alternate as a historic display and be used to carry passengers on narrated tours of nearby naval facilities.
P24 was originally donated by the United States Navy to Malta's Maritime Squadron in 1971. It continued in service to that country until being retired in 2010. The following year, Malta's minister of defense, Vanessa Frazier, acknowledged America's veterans with the gesture to return the boat to the Swift Boat Sailors Association. On July 20, 2012, representatives from the Maritime Museum were present in Malta for a ceremony to coordinate P24's return to the U.S. where it was originally designed and constructed.
"This event honors the approximately 3,500 Swift Boat sailors who served as crew or support personnel from 1965 to 1973," said Ray Ashley, CEO of the Maritime Museum. "We're pleased to undertake this meticulous restoration of P24 as a lasting reflection of their bravery that also allows the public to learn more about these great Americans."
Formally called Patrol Craft Fast (PCF), the United States Navy's PCFs began service in 1965 when American sailors used them to patrol the coastline of South Vietnam. The crafts were nicknamed "Swift Boats" for their speed and agility in moving in and out of harm's way. In preparation for war, PCF training exercises were conducted on San Diego Bay at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.
Restoration Process
P24 will be meticulously restored in San Diego to faithful period appearance and operational capacity under the Maritime Museum's supervision. The vessel is slated to be stripped to bare metal, primed and repainted to its original Navy colors and original number PCF 816. All systems will be upgraded to present day standards. This will prepare the Swift Boat for further review and consideration for a Certificate of Inspection from the U.S. Coast Guard.
The initial $100,000 transportation (from Malta) and restoration costs for the Swift Boat are being solely funded by donations to the Maritime Museum. A fund has been created to support those efforts, as well as long-term care and maintenance. Direct contributions can be made online at: www.sdmaritime.org/swift-boat.
About the Maritime Museum of San Diego:
The Maritime Museum of San Diego enjoys a worldwide reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining and operating historic vessels. The museum brings adventure and discovery to life through interactive exhibits, volunteer opportunities and educational outreach. The Maritime Museum of San Diego has one of the world's finest collections of historic ships, including the world's oldest active ship, the Star of India. The museum, located on the North Embarcadero in downtown San Diego, is open to visitors daily. For more information, please visit www.sdmaritime.org.

SOURCE: Maritime Museum of San Diego
Maritime Museum of San Diego 
Robyn Gallant, 619-234-9153 ext. 106 
rgallant@sdmaritime.org 
or 
MJE Marketing Services 
Gerald Poindexter, 619-682-3841 
gerald@mjemarketing.com

Source: BBC, UK.

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