Progress Report UpdatePosted March 26, 2010

Every spring the Crew of the LST 325 gets the ship prepared for sea detail. It is that time again!! Fire lines are checked, guns uncovered, decks are made ready. Bow doors are opened, main engines are started, generators are put on line, and berthing compartments are cleaned fore and aft. If weather permits, there is also a plan to paint the main deck. Painting the overhead in the tank deck is also being considered. April 10th through the 17th is 2010 Work Week for the LST in Evansville, Indiana. Work Week 2009 resulted in Crew members from 18 different states. Come and join us and be part of a great Crew. The 2009 annual inspection by the U.S. Coast Guard requires the LST to begin cleaning and de-flaking the ship’s ballast tanks and voids. These are water tanks for ballast (10 ft. wide, 10. Ft. high, 24 ft. long), with the capacity of approximately 18,000 gallons (referred to as wing tanks). There are other tanks (center tanks), three times bigger at 56,000 gallons, and there are also several voids to be cleaned. These tanks are only accessible through small deck manholes via a ladder - removing material is by bucket (you get the picture). Once cleaned, the tanks will be painted by a local contractor. Since safety is a major consideration, the buddy system or teamwork during this process is a must. For 2010 Work Week, volunteers can work one or two days, or work for the whole week. Living on the ship is permitted during work week, but as a WWII ship, only men can be accommodated overnight. The ladies and wives are encouraged to come. There are several hotels in the area that give the LST Crew a break in rates. No one gets bored on the ship, and camaraderie and a sense of being involved in a worthwhile project are bonuses. Volunteers can obtain crew member status upon completion of 80 hours of volunteer time. This enables the men to apply as crew for upcoming summer river trips. The ship can only sail with 40 men during voyages, and there are needs for enginemen, electricians, cooks, and deck hands, as well as tour guides and maintenance. If you have some spare time, and would like to meet lots of people and be a part of the Volunteers who are needed in port and during travels to other ports, please call the ship at (812) 435-8678 for more information, or stop by and to get a volunteer form. No previous military experience is required. Be a part of the preservation and presentation of this wonderful Historical Treasure! Come check us out during Work Week, and see what we do. You may decide to stay and be a volunteer.