BRISTOL, RI -- U.S. Senator Jack Reed, the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is bringing a special guest to the Ocean State to celebrate America’s independence, salute the men and women of the U.S. Navy, and give Rhode Islanders a close up view of naval operations.

Today, Reed announced that the Navy plans to send the 388-foot Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Marinette (LCS 25) up Narragansett Bay for a special visit to support the state’s Independence Day festivities in and around Bristol.  Reed says he hopes the ship’s visit will offer the public a chance to gain a better understanding of how sea services support national defense and freedom of the seas.

Authorized by Congress in 2016, christened in 2021, and commissioned by the Navy on September 16, 2023, USS Marinette is named after the place where it was built: Marinette, Wisconsin.  The ship has a top speed of 47 knots and employs a core crew of roughly 50 sailors, sometimes expanding to as many as 65 with mission crew aboard.

“Nobody celebrates the Fourth of July quite like Rhode Island and we’re excited to welcome USS Marinette and her crew to the Ocean State.  I’m grateful to the U.S. Navy for making this special port visit happen to coincide with Rhode Island’s extended Fourth of July festivities,” said Senator Reed. “This will be a chance to highlight the talented, dedicated men and women of the U.S. Navy.  It will also give residents and visitors the chance to learn more about the Navy, the important work our sailors do, and build community connections.  This ship is sure to make a splash with families and highlight Rhode Island’s storied naval history.  I appreciate the Navy dropping anchor in Rhode Island for this special event.”

The USS Marinette is engineered to function in both near-shore and vast oceanic environments.  The ship’s design and capabilities allow for seamless integration with diverse joint, combined, manned, and unmanned teams, fulfilling a range of operations including maritime security, sea control, and global deterrence.

The USS Marinette is homeported at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida.  It was built by Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine. 

The ship’s motto is “Freedom Done Wright” -- a play on the trade name “shipwright,” or shipbuilder.  The motto is a tribute to those who build these combat ships and those who serve aboard them and defend freedom the right way.

LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric “anti-access” threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines, and fast surface craft. They are capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence.

Rhode Island is home to America’s #1 Fourth of July parade: the Bristol Fourth of July Celebration – a multi-day event that culminates in the longest-running, continuous Fourth of July celebration in the United States.  This year, Senator Reed will march in the 239th annual Fourth of July Parade in Bristol, and also take part in other local Independence Day parades and celebrations around the state.  

The U.S. Navy will provide further details at a later date on how and where Rhode Islanders can get an up-close view of the USS Marinette as well as information about public ship tours and opportunities to learn about the ship’s crew and capabilities.