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Seafarers-contracted ship to help rebuild lives in Liberia (3/28)

The U.S. Military Sealift Command has issued the following news release concerning a humanitarian relief mission involving the SIU-crewed SS Cleveland. The release is dated March 25 and also is available on MSC's web site HERE. Navy-chartered ship delivers humanitarian aid equipment to Liberia Military Sealift Command-chartered ship SS Cleveland arrived in Monrovia, Liberia, March 24 carrying U.S. Navy Seabee equipment and supplies for a contingent of Navy Seabee’s in the Gulf of Guinea conducting humanitarian aid projects. The equipment delivered by SS Cleveland, including a dump truck, bulldozers and generators, will be used by members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 Detachment APS on four construction sites. Africa Partnership Station, or APS, is a U.S. Naval Forces Europe initiative that provides maritime training and humanitarian assistance to West and Central African nations. Before arriving in Liberia, SS Cleveland loaded supplies in Rota, Spain, and picked up additional equipment in Tema, Ghana, where the Seabees were wrapping up a handful of construction projects. In Liberia, the Seabees will renovate two medical clinics, giving them electricity and running water, and make structural improvements and roof repairs. The detachment will also repair a road that leads to one of the medical clinics so that it is more easily accessible to the local population. One of the largest high schools in Monrovia will also receive a new electrical system, new windows and doors, new roofing and a paint job courtesy of the Seabees. “Military Sealift Command is proud to be supporting APS and all of the great work the U.S. Navy and our multinational and non-governmental organization partners are doing on the continent of Africa,” said Capt. Nicholas H. Holman, commander, Sealift Logistics Command Europe. “Whether we’re delivering aid supplies ashore or refueling APS platform ships like USS Fort McHenry, MSC’s efforts contribute to the goal of building regional maritime security which, in turn, promotes economic prosperity and stability in Africa and around the globe.” MSC operates more than 110 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that deliver combat equipment to troops, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world, re-supply Navy ships at sea, and perform a variety of other missions for the Department of Defense. ###