July 20thI just returned from a quick trip down (I live near Seattle) to Portland, Oregon (6 hours drving roundtrip) to spend the day working alongside the regular volunteers on the LCI- 713 restoration project. I left my house at 5AM, met the crew for breakfast by 8 and got to work by 9:30. We knocked off at 5:30PM and I made the 3 hour drive home. I had a blast carrying out my assigned duties working in the ship's galley and ward room sealing the newly installed insulation. New ventilation and heating ducting was recently procured and installed throughout the ship. Negotiations for engines are still underway with New York City based CircleLine Tours which still operates two converted LCIs in their tour boat fleet. We just missed (by a few weeks) getting our hands on an LCI that CIrcleLine retired from service and sold off for scrap.The LCI 713 is in desperate need of a new hull and the USCG is begining to loose patience with the AFMM as the organization seeks permission to tow the ship to participate in the upcoming regional Festivals. Scuttlebutt says that they may deep 6 the group's request. Participating in these summer festivals brings visitors on board and helps to raise funds. A USCG inspection is pending. The AFMM desperately needs to raise an estimated $300,000 for new steel, drydock time and labor for the installation of a new bottom. Any help from Navy Vets members would be greatly appreciated. If anyone has any pull or contacts with corporations or defense contractors that might consider contributing to the cause, any help would be greatly appreciated.The LST 1166 Washtenaw County. Sad news for this vessel. There had been plans to also restore the 1166 but she was badly damaged by vandals who repeatedly made runs on her for copper, brass, electrical fixtures and wiring. It wasn't enough that they were stealing from her, but to add salt to the wound they damaged portions of the ship that they couldn't carry off. It's my understanding that she's in the process of being turned over to the Coast Guard which plans on towing her out to sea and will sink her to create an artificial reef.The AFMM continues to ask for your support. Please check out the AFMM website at www.amphibious forces.org to check on further news, make donations, join the organization, and maybe purchase a great looking baseball cap with an embroided LCI on the front.
Nice blog. I just read about LCI-713 and the quick history about her. This story unfortunately is not limited to just a couple of boats. I live near Hornet museum and my understanding she is under financial and political stress as developers want to convert NAS Alameda, now Alameda point, into high end homes.
That is awesome that you volunteered to help restore her. I am looking to possibly volunteer on USS Hornet and maybe the Liberty ship, USS Red Oak, but what holds me back is my knee. Long story but I am still recovering from a major surgery.
Not sure how many of you feel about this but if we are not allowed to restore our ships to educated people of our history, I rather they be given a burial at sea than be sold for scrap.
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That is awesome that you volunteered to help restore her. I am looking to possibly volunteer on USS Hornet and maybe the Liberty ship, USS Red Oak, but what holds me back is my knee. Long story but I am still recovering from a major surgery.
Not sure how many of you feel about this but if we are not allowed to restore our ships to educated people of our history, I rather they be given a burial at sea than be sold for scrap.