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USNS Seay Supports Joint Exercise, Embodies Navy Ethos

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090618-13
Release Date: 6/18/2009 1:44:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) John Stratton, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (NNS) -- Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) operations are in full-swing as Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and civilians work together to complete the task of coordinating movement of heavy cargo and vehicles from ship to shore at Camp Lejeune June 15-20.

There are 32 civilian mariners who live and work aboard USNS Seay (T-AKR 302), a large, medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ship, responsible for carrying heavy equipment.

The civilian mariners work for a private company under charter to Military Sealift Command.

"I have a very experienced crew," said Capt. Richard Malloy, Seay's civilian master. "Most are from diverse backgrounds, and some have prior military service."

Seay's crew has developed a solid working relationship with service members during this joint exercise. Most of the Army units participating in this year's JLOTS exercise have never worked aboard a ship.

"A lot of what this ship's crew has done during this exercise is to assist in training these units that have never done this," said Malloy.

The individual contributions aboard Seay help its over-all mission and the success of JLOTS operations.

"I monitor the speed of vehicles driving off of the ship and make sure that everyone is operating safely," said Able Seaman Samantha Murphy-Ortiz, one of Seay's civilian mariners.

Seay is able to transport 388,000 square feet of cargo, the equivalent of seven football fields. When not deployed, Seay is kept in reduced operating status pierside in Baltimore and can be fully crewed and ready to sail in four days.

For JLOTS 2009, Seay is carrying a total of 60,616 square feet of Army cargo, including 16,000 square feet of lift-on/lift-off cargo, such as containerized supplies, as well as 44,616 square feet of roll-on/roll-off cargo, such as Humvees.

Upon completion of JLOTS, Seay and its crew will make their way back to Norfolk, Va., to offload the equipment before returning to Baltimore.