USS Lake Champlain Hosts Family Day Cruise

Lake Champlain departed welcomed approximately 150 guests aboard to experience life out to sea on a Navy ship.

Family members and friends observed linehandling from the foc’sle and shiphandling from the bridge during the ship’s departure. Family day activities commenced with a narrated transit of the San Diego channel, during which they cruised by Naval Base San Diego and Naval Air Station North Island, the City of San Diego and its landmarks.

Once outside of the channel, Lake Champlaindemonstrated some of the ship’s capabilities, showcasing the full force of the four gas-turbine engines and demonstrating the speed at which controllable pitch propeller ships can shift their speed.

Guests were treated to a “steel beach” lunch cookout on the ship’s flight deck where they were also able to partake in a sea-bound driving range, play cornhole, and listen to music. They also were given an opportunity to try their hand at basic damage control. They conducted races to don fire protective equipment, tested out their hose handling skills, and demonstrated pipe-patching techniques.

Lake Champlain Sailors demonstrated search and rescue capabilities. Two of the Search and Rescue swimmers onboard were lowered into the water from the J-Bar davit. Damage Controlman 2nd Class Noah Smith simulated a rescue of Ensign Will Lewis, conducting a full set of disentanglement procedures and placing him in the rescue strop. Lewis was then recovered to the ship’s foc’sle by 13 line handlers.

“I really enjoyed getting to demonstrate what I learned in school in front of my parents,” said Smith. “It is one of the evolutions that you can explain to someone, but they don’t see everything that goes into it until they are actually there.”

As the crescendo for a busy day underway, Lake Champlain showed off her full battery for those onboard. From forward to aft, every gun on Lake Champlain boomed, showing the cruiser firepower in a gunnery demonstration. The ship shook from the power of the ship’s weapons systems all firing together.

“Our Sailors work hard every day whether they are underway or in port. We hosted a family day cruise so that our loved ones can see what we do when we get underway, and everything that contributes to getting Lake Champlain underway and keeping her there,” said Captain Steve Foley, the ship’s commanding officer.

Lake Champlain returned from an eight month deployment with Carrier Strike Group One in February 2022. The crew continues to maintain a capable and ready force while conducting West Coast sustainment operations.