HMS GLOBAL MARITIME SUPPORTS III MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES IN OPERATION TOMODACHI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 14, 2011 (NEW ALBANY Ind.)  – HMS-WestPac Inc. and the crew of the HSV WestPac Express is honored to support the III Marine Expeditionary Forces (III MEF) in its foreign humanitarian assistance operations to the affected region of Japan after last weeks devastating earthquake and tsunami.

The HSV WestPac Express is underway as a part of Operation Tomodachi, meaning “friends” in Japanese, a phrase chosen by the Japanese.

The High Speed Vessel (HSV) left Naha Military Port in Okinawa, Japan at 9 a.m. local time, en route to mainland Japan. The HSV will deliver a Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) for use in assistance operations. A FARP is a temporary facility normally located close to the area of operations that allows aircraft to conduct continuous operations without having to return to an established airport to obtain fuel. This capability enables helicopters to fly rescue and transport missions almost non-stop.

Additionally, the HSV will be transporting additional supplies, communications equipment and personnel that will be needed in the relief operations.

“The WestPac Express has been homeported in Okinawa for nine years,” said John Waggoner, HMS Global Maritime President and CEO. “Our presence in Japan has enabled us, to form close relationships and more importantly, friendships. With this mission, we are simply helping our friends.”

“The Master of the HSV WestPac Express, Kanoa Parker, has been in constant communication with operational support at our corporate office,” said Greg Brown, Vice President of Marine Operations at HMS Global Maritime. “We are committed to delivering the vessel for any support needed by the III MEF.”

The HSV WestPac Express has been operated by HMS Global Maritime for the past nine years as a high-speed transport for military personnel and equipment over a 1,200 mile range in Asia. The 101-meter vessel can carry 970 passengers and 236 vehicles at speeds of 40 knots.

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HMS Global Maritime provides marine management and consulting to state, federal and private clients in need of professional turnkey vessel management systems. We help our clients meet changing market conditions through effective and experienced cost effective solutions. For more information, log on to: www.hmsgm.com.