Opportune Lift Program (OPLIFT)

Navy Region Hawaii OPPORTUNE LIFT PROGRAM

Ship your second POV (privately owned vehicle) back to the mainland without spending a lot of your own money using The OPPORTUNE LIFT (OPLIFT) program.

Commander Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific (COMNAVSURFGRU
MIDPAC) runs the OPLIFT program within the Middle Pacific region. This includes lifts between Hawaii and San Diego CA. The program relies on volunteer U.S. Navy ships to transport OPLIFT material. Availability of OPLIFT is dependent on operational schedules and ship load out, so participants should be prepared to wait anywhere from one to nine months for there OPLIFT move. Once a ship is confirmed for OPLIFT, COMNAVSURFGRU MIDPAC will team with FISC Pearl Harbor and/or PWC to ensure your material is safely loaded onboard the vessel.
Who is Eligible?

  • All active duty and retired members of the armed services, Active duty must be on Permanent Change of Duty orders.
  • Separates, if separating from service the application will only be valid till member is separated from service. Severities must be separating under honorable conditions.
  • Unmarried widows/widowers of retired service members.
  • DOD civilian employees moving under permanent change of station orders.

What can be shipped?

  • Cars, vans, trucks, and boats
  • Vehicles must be clean, have 3/4 tank of gas or more, be in good running condition, and be free from leaks.
  • NO personal items will be allowed in the vehicle at time of shipment (i.e., surfboards, coolers, house hold goods)
  • Vehicles must be registered, have valid base decals, and current safety checks.

How long do shipments take to get to the destination?

  • Once we load the vehicle on the ship, it will take an average of 7-10 days to get to San Diego.

Does OPLIFT have storage facilities for vehicles?

  • NO, COMNAVSURFGRU MIDPAC WILL NOT take custody of a vehicle prior to the designated on load drop off date.

We do not have the ability to store or maintain security on vehicles waiting to be shipped.

  • Someone other then the owner of the vehicle would need to keep custody and drop off or pick up the vehicle. A power of attorney will be required for the vehicle.
  • Upon arrival to San Diego, the member, or a Power of Attorney holder must be available for pick up. There are no storage facilities at either destination port.
  • There are companies that have worked with OPLIFT that will store and/or deliver your vehicle to you.

How are the ships loaded?

  • Some of the ships used do not use cranes for loading. If the ship is to use ramps to load there is a minimum of 12″ ground clearance for the vehicle to be shipped.
  • Vehicles loaded with a crane will be charged a crane fee to load and unload. The crane fee is split amongst the owners of the vehicles being shipped. The crane fee will be collected at the time of drop off for loading. The offloading crane fee will be collected when picking up the vehicle.
  • Boats will need to have a prime mover (truck to tow) shipped with the boat. The only exception is having a cradle built for the boat.
  • All items will be shipped at the discretion of the transporting ship.

Is there a cost to ship using OPLIFT?

  • Yes, OPLIFT is fully funded by the members taking advantage of the program. If a crane is going to be used for shipment the average cost is $60 for on load and another $60 for offload.
  • You may be required to purchase (4) tie-down straps if the ship does not have enough.

Who do we get in contact with OPLIFT in Hawaii?
OPLIFT is manned by COMNAVSURFGRU MIDPAC supply personnel.
OPLIFT Program Manager SKCS Nim Salgado (808) 473-3047 Nimrod.Salgado@navy.mil
OPLIFT Coordinator SK1 Brian Brown (808) 473-0572 Brian.K.Brown@navy.mil
OPLIFT Assistant Coordinator SK2 Patrick Bowens (808) 473-3045 Patrick.Bowens@navy.mil
Who do we get in contact with OPLIFT in San Diego?
OPLIFT Coordinator MGYSGT Flores (619) 437-2991
Car Pick up/ Storage(MWR) Navy Auto Skills Shop (619) 556-7008/9
Car Hauling / Storage AUTODRIVEAWAY (619) 337-3600