Cape Ducato-class vehicle cargo ship

Last updated
Cape Ducato.JPEG
Cape Ducato (T-AKR-5051) in 1991
Class overview
Builders
OperatorsFlag of the United States Navy (official).svg  United States Navy Military Sealift Command
Built1971–1973
In service1985–present
Completed5
Active5
General characteristics
Type Vehicle cargo ship
Displacement
  • 13,220 long tons (13,432 t) light
  • 34,617 long tons (35,172 t) full
Length681 ft (207.6 m)
Beam97 ft (29.6 m)
Draft37 ft (11.3 m)
Propulsion Diesel engines, single shaft
Speed16.2 knots (30.0 km/h; 18.6 mph)
Complement
  • 9 (Reduced Operational Status)
  • 27 (Full Operational Status)

The Cape Ducato class are five roll-on/roll-off vehicle cargo ships of the United States Navy used to rapidly transport US military unit equipment such as tanks, helicopters, wheeled vehicles and other heavy equipment, to support deployed forces worldwide.

Contents

Built by Eriksbergs MV AB of Sweden and the Ateliers et Chantiers de France between 1971 and 1973, the ships served commercially before being purchased by the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) in late 1985 from the Barber Steamship Company.

All five ships are currently berthed at Charleston, South Carolina [1] as part of the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) in Reduced Operational Status "ROS-5", which allows for a transition to full operating status within five days [2] under the Military Sealift Command.

Ships

Service history

In 1998, after Hurricane Mitch, Cape Ducato was one of several ships that transported construction materials to Nicaragua. [8]

In March 2003 Cape Ducato and Cape Douglas were part of a six ship force ferrying part of the 4th Infantry Division to join the Iraq War. [8]

All five ships of the class were activated in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. [8]

Related Research Articles

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USNS <i>Sea Lift</i> (T-LSV-9)

The USNS Sea Lift (T-LSV-9) was a roll on/roll off (Ro/Ro) cargo ship built for the United States Navy's Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), currently the Military Sealift Command (MSC). She became the first ship of Ro/Ro-type to deliver cargo to Vietnam during the war in Indochina.

SS <i>Cape Mohican</i> (T-AKR-5065)

The SS Cape Mohican (T-AKR-5065) is a steam turbine powered heavy-lift SEABEE barge carrier, one of two ships of her type in the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force.

USS <i>Draco</i> (AK-79) Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USS Draco (AK-79) was an Crater-class cargo ship commissioned by the US Navy for service in World War II. Named after the constellation Draco. She was responsible for delivering goods and equipment to locations in the war zone.

MV <i>Cape Victory</i> (T-AKR-9701)

MV Cape Victory (T-AKR-9701) was built in 1984 as MV Marzario Britainna by Cant Nav. Italiani. After launching, it was delivered to CMB T. Italy for commercial operation. She was acquired. 2 April 1993, by the United States Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration and renamed MV Cape Victory on 2 April 1994 and assigned to the Maritime Administration's Ready Reserve Force, 19 August 1994. When activated Cape Victory is one of the Maritime Administration's 31 Roll-on/Roll-off Reserve Force Ships assigned to the US Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) Sealift Program Office. Cape Victory is nested at the National Defense Reserve Fleet in Beaumont, Texas, in ROS-5 status, with a 10-man maintenance crew on board.

MV <i>Cape Vincent</i> (T-AKR-9666)

MV Cape Vincent (T-AKR-9666) was built as MV Marzario Italia in 1984 at Italcantieri, Italy. After launch, it was delivered to CMB Italy after which it was briefly renamed Taabo Italia. She was acquired on 13 May 1993 by the US Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration and renamed Cape Vincent, 1 February 1994, assigned to the Maritime Administration's Ready Reserve Force. Cape Vincent is operated by Patriot Contract Services. When activated, Cape Vincent is one of the Maritime Administration's 31 Roll-on/Roll-off Reserve Force Ships assigned to the US Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) Sealift Program Office. Cape Vincent is nested at the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Beaumont, TX. in ROS-5 status, with a 10-man maintenance crew on board.

MV <i>Cape Ducato</i> (T-AKR-5051)

MV Cape Ducato (T-AKR-5051) was delivered in September 1972, as MV Barranduna at Eriksbergs Mekaniska Verkstads AB, Sweden. She was acquired by the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) on 18 November 1985 and renamed MV Cape Ducato. She was assigned to MARAD Ready Reserve Force, (RRF) and is one of the Military Sealift Command's (MSC) 31 Roll-on/Roll-off ships and one of the 63 ships of the Sealift Program Office. Cape Ducato is laid up as part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet in a layberth at Joint Base Charleston in North Charleston, South Carolina in ROS-5 status.

SS <i>Cape May</i> (T-AKR-5063)

SS Cape May (T-AKR-5063) is a steam turbine powered heavy-lift SEABEE barge carrier, one of two ships of her type in the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force.

The MV Cape Rise (T-AKR-9678), formerly Saudi Riyadh, formerly Seaspeed Arabia, is a roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) and container ship built in 1977.

MV <i>Cape Texas</i> (T-AKR-112)

For M/V Cape Texas, a World War II Type C1-A, see Type C1 Ships

MV <i>Cape Taylor</i> (T-AKR-113)

MV Cape Taylor (T-AKR-113) is a roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) ship with the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) of the United States Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD). As of 31 December 2014, her homeport is the Port of Houston in Houston, Texas, and she is on ROS-5 status; she is able to be fully operational within 5 days of being activated. When activated, she becomes part of the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC).

MV <i>Cape Trinity</i> (T-AKR-9711)

MV Cape Trinity (T-AKR-9711) is a Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) ship with the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) of the United States Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD). As of 31 December 2014, the homeport of this motor vessel (MV) is the Port of Houston in Houston, Texas, and she is on ROS-5 status; she is able to be fully operational within 5 days of being activated. When activated, she becomes part of the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC).

Type C8-class ship

Type C8-class ships are a type of Heavy Lift Barge Carrier. Type C8 ships were the 8th type of ship designed by the United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) in the late 1960s. As done with the Type C1 ships and Type C2 ships, MARCOM circulated preliminary plans for comment. The design presented was not specific to any service or trade route. Type C8 ships measuring 876 feet (267 m) from stem to stern, and designed to make 16.2 knots.

SS <i>Cape Mendocino</i> (T-AKR-5064)

SS Cape Mendocino (T-AKR-5064) is a steam turbine powered heavy-lift SEABEE barge carrier, one of two ships of her type in the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force.

MV <i>Cape Hudson</i> Cape H-class roll-on/roll-off

MV Cape Hudson (T-AKR-5066) was originally built as a commercial ship in 1979 and sold to the Wilhelmsen Line with the name Barber Taif. She has 2 sister ships named MV Cape Henry and MV Cape Horn.

MV <i>Cape Horn</i> (T-AKR-5068) Cape H-class roll-on/roll-off

MV Cape Horn (T-AKR-5068) was originally built as a commercial ship in 1979 and sold to the Wilhelmsen Line with the name Barber Tonsberg. She has 2 sister ships named MV Cape Hudson and MV Cape Henry.

Cape Ducato may refer to:

MV <i>Cape Edmont</i> Cape E-class roll-on/roll-off

MV Cape Edmont (T-AKR-5069),, was a Cape E-class roll-on/roll-off built in 1971.

MV <i>Cape Lambert</i> (T-AKR-5077) Cape L-class roll-on/roll-off

MV Cape Lambert (T-AKR-5077),, was a Cape L-class roll-on/roll-off built in 1973.

MV <i>Cape Lobos</i> (T-AKR-5078) Cape L-class roll-on/roll-off

MV Cape Lobos (T-AKR-5078),, was a Cape L-class roll-on/roll-off built in 1972.

References

  1. "Cape D Class Ro-Ro Vehicle Cargo Ships North Charleston, SC". wikimapia.org. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  2. "Reduced Operating Status". msc.navy.mil. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  3. "Vehicle Cargo Ship MV Cape Ducato". navsource.org. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  4. "Vehicle Cargo Ship MV Cape Douglas". navsource.org. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  5. "Vehicle Cargo Ship MV Cape Domingo". navsource.org. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  6. "Vehicle Cargo Ship MV Cape Decision". navsource.org. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  7. "Vehicle Cargo Ship MV Cape Diamond". navsource.org. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  8. 1 2 3 "Ready Reserve Force (RRF)". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 29 June 2010.