![](https://westseattleblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_3436-e1374182028211.jpg)
We’ve received several questions about that unusual-looking ship anchored in Elliott Bay, not far from the West Seattle shore. It’s a U.S. Navy vessel, USNS Montford Point, a brand-new, first-of-its-class Mobile Landing Platform, christened this past March, delivered to the Navy in May in San Diego, where it was built. Its name is in honor of 20,000 African American Marine Corps recruits who trained at Montford Point, North Carolina, in the 1940s, according to the Navy announcement that says the other two MLPs will be named USNS John Glenn and USNS Lewis B. Puller (after the most-decorated US Marine). The Montford Point is not expected to go into operation for another year or so.
Yes, but what’s it doing here, you ask? According to this wire report, it’ll be berthed temporarily at Naval Station Everett while getting ready for a major inspection this fall. (More details in this Navy news release.) If we find out anything more about the Seattle side trip, we’ll add it.
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