09/12/2026
πβ WHAT IS THIS STEALTH BOAT DOING IN ? πΊπΈ
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If you've been near the lately, you may have spotted something VERY unusual sitting in the harbor.
Low to the water. Stealth gray. Sharp angles.
It looks more like something out of a James Bond movie than a boat you'd expect to see cruising around the . π
But this thing is very real.
πΊπΈ MEET THE SEALION
Officially called the Combatant Craft Heavy, this futuristic vessel has long been known as β and it was designed to transport America's forces into places where being noticed isn't exactly a good thing.
At more than 77 feet long, it can reach speeds around 40 knots and travel roughly 400 nautical miles.
But here's what makes it really interesting. π
π It's semi-submersible, riding incredibly low in the water.
π‘ Its communications and sensor masts can retract to reduce its profile.
π€ It can carry operators along with Jet Skis, inflatable raiding boats and combat-diving equipment.
βοΈ It can even be transported around the world aboard military cargo aircraft.
Basically, it's a high-speed stealth transport designed to get and other operators in β and back out β quietly.
β SO WHY IS IT IN ?
That's the mystery.
The military doesn't publicly advertise exactly what this particular craft is doing here.
But Key West has a LONG connection to special-operations training. π€Ώ
The U.S. Army's Underwater Operations School has trained combat divers here since the 1960s, making our waters an important part of America's military diving history.
And that's where this story takes a really cool turnβ¦ π
πΊπΈ KEY WEST HAD ANOTHER SEALION ALMOST 60 YEARS AGO!
USS Sealion was a submarine later converted to transport troops and support Marines, Underwater Demolition Teams and eventually Navy SEAL personnel.
And in 1967, USS Sealion was homeported right here in Key West. β
For roughly two years, she operated from the island while supporting amphibious and special-operations training.
Think about thatβ¦
Nearly 60 years ago, a Sealion was operating from Key West supporting America's developing special-operations forces.
Today, another generation of SEALION is sitting in our waters β except this one can run around 40 knots and looks like something Batman might have parked behind the Batcave. ππ¦
That's a pretty amazing little piece of .
π QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Have you spotted the SEALION around Key West β and what did you think it was when you first saw it? π
β
Want us to dig up more unusual pieces of ? Tell us what we should investigate next!
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