USNS Contender (T-AGOS-2)


Merchant Marine Academy flagship Kings Pointer, ex-Contender, 1999.
Career (US)
Name: USNS Contender (T-AGOS-2)
Operator: USNS
Ordered: September 26, 1980
Builder: Tacoma Boatbuilding, Tacoma, Washington
Laid down: January 10, 1983
Launched: December 20, 1983
Acquired: June 9, 1984
Fate: Disposed of by title transfer to MARAD on October 1, 1992
Career (US)
Name: T/V Kings Pointer
Owner: United States Maritime Administration
Operator: United States Merchant Marine Academy
In service: 1992-Present
Homeport: Kings Point, New York
Status: Active United States Merchant Marine Academy
General characteristics
Class and type: Training Ship
Displacement: 2,250 tons
Length: 224 ft (68 m)
Beam: 43 ft (13 m)
Draft: 16.0 ft (4.9 m)
Propulsion: Diesel Electric Drive, twin shafts, inboard turning.
Speed: 11 kt cruise
Crew: 36

USNS Contender (T-AGOS-2) was a Stalwart class Modified Tactical Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance Ship of the United States Navy.

History

Stalwart class ships were originally designed to collect underwater acoustical data in support of Cold war anti-submarine warfare operations in the 1980s. ex-Contender is now T/V Kings Pointer the flagship and training vessel of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. [1]

In the spring of 2004 she underwent a major overhaul to upgrade her crew's quarters and training equipment. The aft 'tow' deck was also modified and any vestage of her previous employment as a SURTASS ship was removed and reworked.

Her current mission is ongoing, to supplement the classroom training at the United States Merchant Marine Academy by providing an operational shipboard platform for use by the academic departments and the Department of Shipboard Training. The training program is one that will foster leadership, responsibility and accountability through the operation and maintenance of the vessel.

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