New Survey Vessel for Mobile District

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District has a new survey vessel, Sarge. The 28-foot vessel was built in Irvington, Alabama by Silver Ships Inc. The Sarge will be used for operation and maintenance activities in Mobile, Pascagoula and Gulfport Harbors, entrance channels, bays and bayous on the northern Gulf coast.

The Sarge was named in honor of former Irvington site employee Stephen Sema. Sema’s served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1973 earning his nickname, “Sarge.” He continued his government service at the Irvington site office Mobile District, as a surveyor and dredge inspector/supervisor from 1973 to 1993. Serna finished his military and federal service and spent another decade working as a contract inspector for the Irvington site office.

Wynne Fuller, chief of operations division, said he was proud to honor Sema.

“While his contributions to our navigation program were great, his job description does not capture the very real contributions he made to the culture at the Irvington site office,” Fuller said. “Sarge was unsurpassed as a mentor and as a leader. He was clearly an inspiration to our younger employees. Through his wisdom, dedication and sense of humor, he built a real legacy that will outlast this vessel.”

In attendance for the christening held July 13 were Sema’s wife Doris, his five children and their spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other members of his family. Also in attendance were many friends, Mobile District employees, and Corps retirees. The official christening of the vessel was performed by Doris Sema with water collected from the Mississippi Sound, the primary working location of the Sarge.