Container Ships - T-AK
Updated: September 22, 2003
Description: The container ships are part of Military Sealift Command's Prepositioning Program. MV Capt. Steven L. Bennett, MV Maj. Bernard F. Fisher, MV A1C William A. Pitsenbarger and MV Merlin carry U.S. Air Force cargo.
Features: MV Capt. Steven L. Bennett, MV Maj. Bernard F. Fisher, MV A1C William A. Pitsenbarger and MV Merlin feature climate-controlled coccoons on their weather decks that allow them to carry approximately 50 percent more cargo, while protecting the additional cargo from the marine environment.
Background: MV Capt. Steven L. Bennett was built in 1984 by Samsung Shipbuilding. MV Maj. Bernard F. Fisher is owned and operated by Sealift, Inc. and is of the MV LTC Calvin P. Titus class. MV A1C William A. Pitsenbarger is owned and operated by RR&VO;, Ltd. MV Merlin was built in 1978 and is owned and operated by Sealift, Inc. and is of the Buffalo Soldier class. All four T-AKs are under charter to Military Sealift Command.
Point of Contact:
Office of Public Affairs
Military Sealift Command
Washington, DC 20398-5540
(202) 685-5055 or www.msc.navy.mil
General Characteristics: Capt. Steven L. Bennett Class
Builders: Samsung Shipbuilding
Power Plant: 1 diesel; 1 shaft
Length: 687 feet (209.54 meters)
Beam: 99.7 feet (30.41 meters)
Displacement: 53,727.26 tons (54,586.90 metric tons) full load
Speed: 16.5 knots (18.99 mph)
Ships:
MV Capt. Steven L. Bennett (ex-Sea Pride) (T-AK 4296)
Crew: 26 civilians
General Characteristics: LTC Calvin P. Titus Class
Builder: Odense Steel Shipyard, Odense, Denmark
Power Plant: 23,030 SHP Sulzer, Model 7RTA76; 1 shaft
Length: 652 feet (198.86 meters)
Beam: 106 feet (32.33 meters)
Displacement tons: 48,000 long tons (48,768 metric tons) full load
Speed: 19 knots (21.87 mph) maximum speed
Ships:
MV Maj. Bernard F. Fisher (T-AK 4396)
Crew: 21 civilians
General Characteristics: MV A1C William A. Pitsenbarger Class
Builder: Ch. D'Atlantique, St. Nazaire, France
Power Plant: 13,800 BHP, diesel, single shaft
Length: 622 feet (189.71 meters)
Beam: 106 feet (32.33 meters)
Displacement tons: 40,000 long tons (40,640 metric tons) full load
Speed: 17.5 knots (20.14 mph) maximum speed
Ships:
MV A1C William A. Pitsenbarger
Crew: 23 civilians
General Characteristics: MV Buffalo Soldier Class
Builder: Chanters Navigation de la Ciotat
Power Plant: Pielstick medium-speed diesel; 23,400 bhp; 1 shaft
Length: 670 feet (204.35 meters)
Beam: 87 feet (26.54 meters)
Displacement tons: 40,357 long tons (41,002.71 metric tons) full load
Speed: 16 knots (18.42 mph) maximum speed
Ships:
MV Merlin
Crew: 19 civilians
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