Fast Sealift Ships transferred to MarAd

Fast Sealift Ships transferred to MarAd The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command is transferring custody of its eight “Fast Sealift Ships” to the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration.
   The ships, which were built in the early 1970s by Sea-Land Service, are capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ships quickly became impractical after oil prices skyrocketed after the Arab oil embargo of 1973-1974. Even at reduced speeds the ships were not economical, and in 1981-1982, Sea-Land sold the ships to the Navy, which converted them into roll-on/roll-off ships.
   The ships are capable of sailing from the U.S. East Coast to Europe in just six days and to the Persian Gulf via the Suez Canal in 18 days, ensuring rapid delivery of military equipment in a crisis, MarAd said. Combined, all eight Fast Sealift Ships can carry nearly all the equipment needed to outfit a full Army mechanized division.
   Custody of the eight ships — Algol, Altair, Antares, Bellatrix, Capella, Denebola, Pollux and Regulus — was transferred to MarAd on Oct. 1. The ships will be maintained in a five-day readiness status in the Ready Reserve Force (RRF), able to activate within 120 hours from notification and be ready for sea. Full title to the ships will be transferred to the MarAd on Oct. 1, 2008.
   With the addition of the eight ships, the Ready Reserve Force fleet reaches 52 ships.