‘The Spirit of the Navy’ hydroplane raced at the 59th annual Seattle Seafair Hydroplane Races on Lake Washington Aug. 2-3.
The hydroplane helps increase awareness about the Navy and helps with recruiting new Sailors.
“We are at Seafair to create more awareness and let people know the Navy is here in Seattle,” said Sonar Technician (Surface)
1st Class (SW) Damion Stephan, Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Seattle. We can provide opportunities for people that can create
fun and education. The hydroplane itself fits right into the Navy’s ‘Accelerate Your Life’ theme. When you think about acceleration
here at Seafair you think of the hydroplane races.”
The Navy uses many tools such as handing out business cards and other Navy paraphernalia, as well as sponsoring the ‘Spirit of
the Navy’ hydroplane to try to recruit people.
“Recruiting at Seafair is important because it gets the Navy’s name out there,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class
(AW) Frank Concini, NRD Seattle. “It lets a lot of people recognize that we are out here to support everyone. People see ‘Navy’ on
the hydroplane and they want to be a part of that.”
Another goal of Navy recruiting is to simply put the Navy’s name and image out to the public.
“Recruiting here promotes Navy awareness; we need to promote the Navy and let people know we are here and educate them on
the opportunities we can offer,” said Lt. Cmdr. Heather Kline, NRD Seattle enlisted programs officer. “I think the hydroplane appeals
to the masses and it’s an extreme type of sport, which people are interested in. It makes people ask more questions. They think,
‘wow if they have a hydroplane, what else do they do?’.”
Brain Perkins, ‘Spirit of the Navy’ pilot, thinks having a hydroplane with ‘Navy’ name on it can help with recruiting in areas where
boating is popular.
“I have never missed a Seafair since I have been born” said Perkins, a Washington native. “This [hydroplane] is a pilot program for
the Navy to kind of see and experience what hydroplane racing is all about. We show the Navy what we can do for them. We would
like to have the Navy as our primary sponsor. To be in the grand finale event of Seafair driving the Navy Hydroplane is absolutely
incredible. It’s beyond an honor.”