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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW NAVY SEAL MUSEUM DOWNTOWN RECEIVES GIANT ARTIFACT THROUGH SECOND-STORY WINDOW

San Diego Museum Loads in Largest Collection Piece Via Crane – Retired Navy SEALs onsite to oversee installation

SAN DIEGO, CA (September 18, 2024) – The upcoming Navy SEAL Museum San Diego (NSMSD), located at 1001 Kettner Blvd., will be receiving a SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) which will be crane-lifted into the Museum’s second floor in a highly visible installation on September 26, 2024, at 6:30 AM.

The SDV is 21-ft. long and weighs over 1,600 lbs. It has been shipped cross country from Navy SEAL Museum, Fort Pierce via flatbed truck. Once inside, the SDV will eventually be suspended from the ceiling 15 ft. overhead. Visitors will be able to witness the collection piece’s size and scale personally when the Museum opens in Summer/Fall 2025.

Naval Special Warfare has been using SDVs since the 1970s in various configurations. SDVs are used to recon enemy harbors, conduct anti-ship operations, and covertly insert and extract U.S. Navy SEALs. They can be deployed from submarines and other craft.

NSMSD’s Executive Director Captain (SEAL) Todd Perry, USN (Ret.) says, “This installation will be an exclusive opportunity to witness one of Naval Special Warfare’s most unique assets—a SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) —as it is craned into our new San Diego Museum site through a large second-floor window. Attendees will get a sneak-preview of this vessel that will be suspended in the museum above an SDV simulator, visitors will experience what it takes to ‘fly’ this wet submarine through challenging mission scenarios—although they will miss out on the ‘full benefit’ of being wet and cold in this dark, cramped clandestine submersible.”

The Navy SEAL Museum San Diego is currently building out its exhibition space at 1001 Kettner Blvd., the former downtown location of the Museum of Contemporary Arts San Diego. The Navy SEAL Museum San Diego plans to open in 2025.

Interviews available with:

• CEO Master Chief (SEAL) Rick Kaiser, USN (Ret.)
• Executive Director Captain (SEAL) Todd Perry, USN (Ret.)
• Deputy Executive Director Captain (SEAL) Brian “Beef” Drechsler, USN (Ret.)
• Chief Warrant Officer (SEAL) Lance Cummings, USN (Ret.)

About Navy SEAL Museum San Diego (NSMSD)
The Navy SEAL Museum San Diego (NSMSD) is the second museum, with its sister location located in Ft. Pierce, Florida, dedicated solely to preserving the history of the U.S. Navy SEALs and their predecessors. NSMSD will create a venue of inspiration, reverence, and education that honors the service of the Frogmen, from World War II to the present day, central to the Naval Special Warfare Command. Built to honor the men who served with fortitude and ingenuity, the main objective of the Museum is educating the public by providing the opportunity to explore the history of the Navy SEALs and their predecessors through interactive exhibits, while honoring the fallen at the Navy SEAL Memorial and caring for those warriors’ families through Trident House Charities Program. For more information, visit navysealmuseumsd.org.

About Navy SEAL Museum Fort Pierce
The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum Fort Pierce is dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Navy SEALs and their predecessors. Built on the original training grounds of the first Navy combat divers, Navy SEAL Museum Fort Pierce opened its doors on Veterans Day in 1985.

From humble beginnings, the Museum has experienced tremendous growth, achieving national stature in 2007. Continuing a legacy of preservation and inspiration, Navy SEAL Museum San Diego opened in October of 2025.

The Museum remains committed to the promotion of public education by providing the opportunity to explore Naval Special Warfare history through interactive exhibits, while honoring the fallen at the SEAL Memorial, and caring for Naval Special Warfare families through its various charitable outreach initiatives. For more information, visit NavySEALMuseum.org.