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Board agrees to host WWII ship LST 325 at Sanders Ferry Park pending Corps, TWRA approvals
Summary
The parks board approved a staff-recommended plan to invite the USS LST 325 to dock at Sanders Ferry Park as an educational visit, waiving typical fees and requiring Corps of Engineers and TWRA approval and coordination on anchoring and site logistics.
The Hendersonville Parks Board approved a staff recommendation to host the World War II landing ship LST 325 at Sanders Ferry Park on the condition that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) grant required approvals. John Talent, president of the nonprofit that operates the LST 325, presented the ship’s history and logistics needs and asked the board to waive any rental fees for the visit.
John Talent summarized the ship’s service record and volunteer-run operations, saying, “the LST 325 is an original World War 2 LST” and emphasizing the volunteer hours that sustain the vessel. He told the board the nonprofit logged substantial volunteer time and that dry-dock maintenance is expensive: “we were down in Port Arthur, Texas for dry dock, spent 2 and a half million dollars,” he said.
Staff and Talent said the ship’s draft and length make docking a tight fit; Talent noted the LST’s shallow-draft design but said the maneuver will require careful depth checks. Parks staff recommended approving the visit pending Corps and TWRA approvals and discussed a special-event permit and some staff assistance for anchoring. A board member moved to approve the plan with those stipulations; the motion passed by voice vote.
The board’s approval included a request that staff confirm signage rules, site access for school groups and a final determination of any fees that might arise from the Corps or other permitting authorities. Talent said the nonprofit offers guided tours for school groups and hopes thousands of students will attend during the ship’s visit.
Parks staff will work with the LST 325 organizers to complete required permits and operational plans and return to the board if any unresolved issues remain.
