Private Contractors for US Navy 2025

OVERKILL operating on the open ocean in support of US Navy

Operating Relay: Supporting the U.S. Navy at Sea

In 2025, we signed on as private contractors supporting the U.S. Navy. For ten months, we operated advanced maritime communications systems from a vessel known by the call sign Relay.

It wasn’t just a contract. It was ten months at sea, doing work we believe in, in an environment we genuinely love.

Our role was straightforward but critical: serve as a communications bridge between naval unmanned surface vessels (USVs), support assets, and civilian traffic operating in the area. We helped maintain clean, reliable information flow so operations could move safely and efficiently.

We often operated offshore in waters over 3,000 feet deep. Long stretches at sea demand focus and discipline—but they also deliver perspective.

And perspective is something the ocean gives freely.

Life Offshore

The sunsets were different out there. With nothing but open horizon, the sky would explode into deep oranges, reds and purples that reflected off calm water like glass. After long operational days, those moments reset everything.

On moonless nights, the stars took over. With no city lights for miles, the Milky Way felt close enough to touch. It reminded us how small we are—and how meaningful it is to be part of something larger.

We saw wildlife constantly.

Pods of dolphins would run alongside the hull, matching speed just for the fun of it. Fin whales surfaced unexpectedly, massive and quiet, disappearing just as quickly. Schools of tuna churned beneath the surface. And on one occasion, orcas passed through—calm, coordinated, and unforgettable.

Those encounters weren’t distractions. They were reminders. We operate in a living, powerful environment that demands respect.

Why It Mattered

The most rewarding part of that chapter was knowing we were supporting sailors actively serving our country. We weren’t on the front line—but we were part of the chain that makes operations possible.

Clear communication offshore isn’t optional. It’s mission-critical.

We took pride in doing our part well.

What We Took With Us

Those ten months sharpened our technical experience, strengthened our operational discipline, and deepened our respect for both the ocean and the people who serve on it.

But beyond that, they reinforced something simpler:

We belong on the water.

Operating Relay wasn’t just professional experience—it was confirmation that the ocean is where we do our best work.

And that mindset carries into everything we do today.