“Project Excelsior is our bold initiative to acquire and repurpose a decommissioned U.S. naval vessel as a forward-deployed, early-response platform to lead and support humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief efforts in affected regions around the world.”

— Timothy J. Keegan, Founder & CEO

Grand human endeavors capture the attention of history. The Coalition of Hope is bringing to life an historic project with global implications. The project is known as “Excelsior”. The mission – to build an unprecedented ship-based platform, dedicated to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the immediate aftermath of catastrophic occurrence. Project Excelsior will transform a ship of war into a ship of peace.

The Coalition of Hope Foundation, Inc. (COH) seeks to provide a ship-based humanitarian assistance / disaster- relief (HADR) platform. The ship incorporates state-of the-art hospital facilities, an array of coalition (military) medical personnel, extensive air-lift capability, heavy equipment and emergency supplies in the context of a multinational, nation-state sponsored, public-private partnership. With the leadership and support of the global community, the coalition will respond to unforeseen catastrophic events faster and better equipped than any other military or civilian element in existence.

The COH leadership is comprised of individuals who have held senior positions in government, the military, and in industry. The Excelsior project received favorable White House (NSC) review in the second of President George W. Bush’s terms, and has been continually vetted and refined by subject matter experts (SME’S) the past ten years. In 2017 SASC professional staff reviewed the project as part of the NDAA process. The DOD and USN have endorsed the use of LHA platforms in response to disaster relief.

COH | A needed coalition partner for peace

In 2018, conflicts and disasters around the world left an estimated 200 million people in need of international humanitarian assistance in order to cope and survive. The conflicts in Syria, Yemen and South Sudan continue to cause suffering and displacement for many millions of people. Meanwhile natural disasters in the Caribbean, droughts and food insecurity continue to devastate the lives of many more. The Coalition of Hope Foundation seeks to augment ongoing international relief efforts with the introduction of Project Excelsior -- an entirely unique platform that will provide emergency responders and critical supplies in times of catastrophe. In addition, Excelsior will provide a robust medical training platform and logistical hub for continuing humanitarian assistance missions within the context of a multinational, public / private coalition.

COH is a not-for-profit public charity based in Palm Beach, Florida (USA). Established in 2010 as a humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief organization, the Foundation has provided support on an international basis to victims of hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding and abandonment.

A “skills rich” organization, the COH Board of Directors and International Advisory Board has engaged dozens of experienced senior leaders with the expansive political, business, educational, military, philanthropic, and governmental backgrounds needed in order to execute the organization’s broad vision; individuals with extensive first-hand knowledge from their work in combat zones, diplomacy, nation-building initiatives, logistics, and mass casualty trauma care.

COH is now proposing its most ambitious plan yet: the Excelsior Project, to retrofit two decommissioned U.S. Navy warships, Tarawa-class (LHA’s) in order to provide state-of-the-art assistance facilities to regions hit by natural and man-made disasters. The vessels – built as amphibious assault ships – will have massive airlift and amphibious capabilities to provide trained personnel, heavy equipment, and emergency supplies to disaster locations in timely and unparalleled ways.

Once operational, the COH expects to demonstrate the ability and flexibility to more quickly respond to international emergencies with better capability than previous or existing military and civilian humanitarian-assistance logistical elements. COH estimates that these two ships of hope could positively impact upwards of 20 million lives per vessel once operational.

Project Excelsior is an initiative of the Coalition of Hope Foundation to utilize former US Navy (LHA) warships as dedicated humanitarian assistance and disaster relief vessels designated as HADR/V. There are three former USN LHAs available: they are the former USS Tarawa and USS Peleliu. All three are decommissioned and potentially available for our use. COH will seek to refurbish and deploy all three of these ships subject to funding and condition. — Project Excelsior is an initiative of the Coalition of Hope Foundation to utilize former US Navy (LHA) warships as dedicated humanitarian assistance and disaster relief vessels designated as HADR/V. There are two former USN LHA’'s available: they are the former USS Tarawa and USS Peleliu. Both vessels are decommissioned and potentially available for our use. COH will seek to refurbish and deploy both ships subject to funding and condition.

Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief Logistics, Operations & Management

The Project Overview identifies the unique opportunities “Excelsior” brings to bear on the problems associated with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations across the globe. Before we get into the specifics, however, let’s take a look at why the skills Excelsior brings to the table are vital. Facing increasing occurrences of humanitarian crises and both man-made and natural disasters, the most important aspect of humanitarian and disaster relief is a coordinated, co-operative process of preparing to match urgent needs with available resources. The primary obstacle in so doing is the notable lack of coordination between the more than 120 government, private, and religious organizations, and 195 countries of the world in times of catastrophe. Competing agendas, politics, religions, national interests, governments, cultural, and many other aspects of our world often result in unnecessary death and suffering as vital, life-saving supplies and services sit undelivered/undeliverable; often just offshore within sight of those in need.