Hornblower Marine Services Signs Multi-Year Deal to Run U.S. Marine Corps Westpac Express
Hornblower Marine Services (HMS) is pleased to announce the multi-year renewal of its contract to operate Westpac Express, the U.S. Defense Department’s most successful and longest serving High-Speed Vessel (HSV). The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) re-chartered Westpac Express after four years of triumphant operational leadership by Hornblower Marine Services. As a result, HMS successfully bid to remain onboard for an additional five years.
“It is a privilege to operate the first commercial High-Speed Vessel utilized by the U.S. military,” say John Waggoner, Chief Executive Officer of Hornblower Marine Services. “We are honored by the U.S. Navy’s confidence in our company’s expertise in cutting edge technology and hard work developing highly specialized systems of management, crewing, training and maintenance,” adds Waggoner.
In order to speed up deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps Third Expeditionary Force off Okinawa during training exercises, the leased Westpac Express in 2001 for a two-month “proof of concept” test period. During that time this High-Speed Vessel, built by Austal and operated by Hornblower Marine Services, was tested for its ability to transport troops, vehicles and equipment to off-island training sites in an efficient manner. Once Westpac Express proved its value to the Marines, it was chartered in 2003 for a three-year period with a one-year extension. The latest contract renewal for five additional years reinforces the U.S. Marines and MSC high regard for both the vessel and the way Hornblower Marine Services operates it.
“Westpac Express has demonstrated a level or reliability and efficiency that has transformed the way training is conducted for the U.S. Marine Corps Third Expeditionary Force,” says Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence S. Ryder, U.S. Marines Corps High Speed Craft Project Director. “Hornblower Marine Services, run by John Waggoner, has shown that large high speed ferries are reliable and dependable when properly operated and maintained. John’s team provides that level of expertise to III MEF,” adds Ryder.
Westpac Express is similar in design to Hawaii Superferry, also operated by Hornblower Marine Services and owned by New York-based J. F. Lehman & Company. J.F. Lehman & Company, founded by Dr. John F. Lehman, former Secretary of the U.S. Navy (1981 to 1987) and member of the “9/11 Commission,” focuses exclusively on acquiring middle market companies in the defense, aerospace and maritime industries.
“At JF Lehman and Company we are very excited about our strategic partnership with Hornblower Marine Services and what the future may hold for these two great companies, says Dr. John F. Lehman, Chairman of JF Lehman and Company. “The renewal of the Hornblower Marine Services Westpac Express contract is great news for the future of the High Speed Vessels industry. It is clear that Hornblower Marine Services has provided extraordinary value in making Westpac Express what it is today.”
Hornblower Marine Services 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 http://www.hornblowermarine.com.
Contact: Helene Kramer
Director of Public Relations
Bisig Impact Group
502-583-0333 (office)
502-387-5558 (mobile)