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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

IX-515
SES-110BH
USCG Dorado (WSES-1)
SES-200

  • Laid down, as SES-110BH, date unknown, at Bell Halter Inc., New Orleans, LA.
  • Launched, date unknown
  • Delivered to the US Navy, 1 September 1980
  • Loaned to the US Coast Guard to evaluate the SES concept and its possible application to the Coast Guard's missions
  • Commissioned USCGC Dorado (WSES-1), 18 June 1981
  • Decommissioned, September 1982 and returned to the US Navy
  • Placed in service, 11 May 1987 as Surface Effect Ship SES-200 unofficially named "Sea Flyer"
  • Converted by Navatek Ltd (this involved replacing the entire propulsion and lifting system) in 2000-2003
  • Re-launched in June 2003 as a SWATH/Hydrofoil hybrid evaluation platform and designated IX-515
  • Placed out of service and struck from the Naval Register, 12 February 2010
  • Final Disposition, to be disposed of by Navy sale
    SES-200 Specifications
    Displacement 162 t.(fl)
    Length 110'
    Beam 39'
    Draft 4' 10 (on cushion) 7' 10" (at rest)
    Compliment 14
    Speed
    Maximum Speed: 33 knots
    Economic/Cruising Speed: 26 knots - 575 mile range
    Armament small arms only
    Propulsion
    Main Engines 2 General Motors diesels
    Lift Engines 2 Detroit diesels

    (IX-515) Specifications
    Displacement 270 t.(lt) 340 t.(fl)
    Length 167.4'
    Beam 43'
    Draft 18.5'
    Compliment 3 Officers, 26 Enlisted
    Speed 30+ kts. (max.)
    Propulsion Diesel
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    IX-515 92k IX-515 as SES-200 , date and location unknown. US Navy photo Bob Inman EM1 USN
    IX-515 47k IX-515 underway off Honolulu, HI, date unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 Tommy Trampp
    IX-515 28k IX-515 as SES-200 laid up at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, awaiting a buyer, July 2010
    Photos from Government Liquidation web site    		  
    IX-515 50k
    IX-515 32k
    IX-515 31k
    There is no DANFS history available for IX-515 at NavSource
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 24 February 2012