Visit of US ship “HSV Swift” to Croatian Navy
As part of the bilateral military cooperation with the Armed Forces of the United States and visits to the Croatian Navy, the U.S. Navy ship “HSV SWIFT (High-Speed Craft)” sailed into the Lora port in Split, today, April 3.
The ship is used primarily for fleet support duties and humanitarian tasks. “Swift” is the second in a series of three catamarans used by the U.S. Navy, and to date it has participated in humanitarian relief operations following the tsunami in Sumatra, and the transport of humanitarian materials from Cyprus during the Israeli-Lebanese conflict in 2006.
The “HSV SWIFT” is 98 meters long, 27 meters wide, 3.4 meters draft, with max speed of 35 knots, the crew is about 70 or so sailors and civilians. The ship is under the command of the U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command, intended for various forms of transport, it has helicopter runway, can accommodate all types of military vehicles (including tanks) and up to 250 fully equipped soldiers. Home harbour is a naval amphibious base Little Creek in Norfolk, Virginia.
“HSV SWIFT” will stay until 6 April 2012 in Split. During the visits, joint training on the use of non-lethal weapons will be conducted by members of the U.S. marine forces located in Romania (U.S. Marines Corps Black Sea Rotational Forces).
More information about the ship “HSV Swift” at:
http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/ships.asp?ship=163