SS Wright (T-AVB-3)
 |
| History |
|
| Name: |
SS Wright |
| Builder: |
Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi |
| Laid down: |
1 June 1968 |
| Launched: |
1 July 1969 |
| Acquired: |
1 February 1970 |
| Renamed: |
SS Wright (T-AVB-3), 14 May 1986 |
| Status: |
in active service, as of 2016 |
| General characteristics |
| Class & type: |
Wright-class Aviation Logistics Support (Roll-on/Roll-off) Container Ship |
| Displacement: |
- 8,106 long tons (8,236 t) light
- 23,800 long tons (24,182 t) full
|
| Length: |
602 ft (183 m) |
| Beam: |
90 ft (27 m) |
| Draft: |
30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Propulsion: |
Geared steam turbine, single propeller |
| Speed: |
18.7 knots (34.6 km/h; 21.5 mph) |
| Complement: |
362 (37 merchant mariners and 1 Aircraft Maintenance Detachment) |
SS Wright (T-AVB-3) is one of two Aviation Logistics Support (Roll-on/Roll-off) Container Ships converted for the United States Navy in 1986.
The lead ship of her class, she was originally laid down 1 June 1968 at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc. of Pascagoula, Mississippi as SS Mormacsun, ON 524416, IMO 6924571, a Maritime Commission type (C5-S-78) combination breakbulk, container, Ro-Ro vessel under Maritime Administration contract (MA 224) for Moore-McCormack Lines. Launched 1 July 1969, she was delivered to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) 1 February 1970 and subsequently sold and renamed SS Young America on 19 October 1970 for service with American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines. In 1978 the ship was sold again to Farrell Lines without name change. In 1981 the ship was turned over to MARAD. Converted and renamed SS Wright (T-AVB-3) on 14 May 1986, the ship was assigned to MARAD Ready Reserve Force (RRF), MSC PM-5 Sealift Program Office, Logistics Prepositioning Force.
Wright provides support for Marine Corps helicopters. SS Wright is outfitted with both a stern ramp and side ports. Their roll-on/roll-off deck runs the complete length of the ship. When outfitted with mobile facilities, the ships can service aircraft while anchored offshore.[1] Currently SS Wright is maintained in reduced status ROS-5 (five day reactivation status) at Baltimore, Maryland.
Government service
From January 2003 to July 2003, 330 Marines from Cherry Point, North Carolina were deployed on the SS Wright to provide avionics support during the Operation Iraqi Freedom. There was approximately 20 to 40 civilian contractors also aboard for ship operations. In December 2003, the SS Wright left Baltimore, Maryland and ported in Morehead City, North Carolina. Marines and contractors loaded the ship and departed in January for the Persian Gulf.
In November 2012 the SS Wright was mobilized to support relief operations after Hurricane Sandy caused damage to the New York/New Jersey region.[2] The ship served as lodging for American Red Cross volunteers, Americorps, FEMA corps, Montana Conservation Corps, Washington Conservation Corps and Virginia Military Institute all who were deployed to support the organizations Hurricane Sandy response. The ship shared a dock near the St George ferry on Staten Island, NY with the TS Kennedy which served as lodging for FEMA staff and contractors.[3]
See also
References
Advance aviation base ships of the United States Navy |
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