MV Westpac Express (HSV-4676)

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Career
MV Westpac Express (HSV-4676) moored pier side, date and location unknown. To conducts its load/discharge, the HSV backs into the pier, ties up to the pilings, and lowers its stern ramp. WestPac Express is currently the only HSV with an axial stern ramp, which affords it greater loading and unloading capacity.
Fate:	In service
General characteristics
Displacement:	2,111 tons (light)
Length:	331 ft 4 in
Beam:	87 ft 5 in
Draft:	14 ft 1 in (fully loaded)
Propulsion:	Diesel-powered, water-jet catamaran, 4x Caterpillar 3618 diesel engines, each producing 7,200 kW @ 1,050 rpm
Speed:	20 kts (economical); 33 kts (warranted)
Range:	1,240 NM @ 33 kts (laden); 2,182 NM @ 20 kts (laden); 2,927 NM @ 20 kts (ballast)
Complement:	11 military, 13 civilian
Troop capacity:	970
Cargo capacity:	20,698 square feet: RORO designed for roll on/roll off service (typical loads - 153 HUMMWVs or 12 AAVPs and 20 LAVs)
Armament:	None

The MV Westpac Express (HSV-4676) is a high-speed catamaran built in 2001 by Austal Ltd. of Henderson, Australia. Chartered for the Marine Corps Logistics Prepositioning Ship Program by Military Sealift Command (MSC), the ship provided extensive logistics support to "Exercise Cobra Gold 2002." Cobra Gold 2002 is the 21st U.S. Pacific Command exercise conducted in Thailand demonstrating the ability of U.S. forces to deploy rapidly and conduct joint-combined operations with the Thai and Singapore Armed Forces. Austal Hull 130 Chartering, LLC of Mobile, Alabama was be awarded a $13,395,944 firm-fixed-priced contract commencing in February 2007, with four one year additional options to September 2011.

[edit] References

HSV-4676 Westpac Express. Service Ship Photo Archive. Retrieved on June 21, 2007.

MV Westpac Express (HSV-4676) offloads cargo at Chuk Samet, Sattahip, Thailand on 8 May 2002. An AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter from Marine Helicopter Attack/Light Squadron Three Six Nine (HMA/L 369) is being moved across the stern ramp.