Fast Sealift Ship
Encyclopedia
The Algol class vehicle cargo ships, also known as Fast Sealift Ships (FSS) or SL-7s, are currently the fastest cargo ships in the world, capable of speeds in excess of 33 knots (65 km/h). Originally built in 1972 and 1973 as high-speed container ships known as SL-7's for Sea-Land Services, Inc., the ships' high operating costs limited their profitability. All eight ships were acquired by the US Navy in 1981 and 1982, with the last ship converted, recommissioned and delivered to Military Sealift Command
in 1986. The conversion entailed the installation of four cranes, addition of roll on/roll off
capability and a redesign of the cargo hold to better facilitate storage of vehicles. Due largely to their high cost of operation, all fast sealift ships are kept in Reduced Operating Status, but can be activated and ready to sail in 96 hours. All ships are named after bright stars in the night sky.
and Saudi Arabia
during and after the Persian Gulf War. Fast sealift ships have taken part in Operations Restore Hope, Joint Guardian, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in addition to humanitarian relief efforts across the globe.
On October 1, 2007, the United States Maritime Administration began operating all eight FSS. All eight were transferred to the Ready Reserve
on Oct. 1, 2008. At this time their USNS designations were replaced with SS designations as they were no longer US Navy Ships.
Military Sealift Command
The Military Sealift Command is a United States Navy organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. It first came into existence on 9 July 1949 when the Military Sea Transportation Service became solely responsible for the Department of Defense's...
in 1986. The conversion entailed the installation of four cranes, addition of roll on/roll off
RORO
Roll-on/roll-off ships are vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo such as automobiles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, trailers or railroad cars that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels...
capability and a redesign of the cargo hold to better facilitate storage of vehicles. Due largely to their high cost of operation, all fast sealift ships are kept in Reduced Operating Status, but can be activated and ready to sail in 96 hours. All ships are named after bright stars in the night sky.
Service
All eight ships took part in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, delivering thirteen percent of all the cargo transported between the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
during and after the Persian Gulf War. Fast sealift ships have taken part in Operations Restore Hope, Joint Guardian, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in addition to humanitarian relief efforts across the globe.
On October 1, 2007, the United States Maritime Administration began operating all eight FSS. All eight were transferred to the Ready Reserve
Ready Reserve
The Ready Reserve is a program maintained by the U.S. Department of Defense to maintain a pool of trained service members that may be recalled to active duty should the need arise. It is composed of service members that are contracted to serve in the Ready Reserve for a specified period of time as...
on Oct. 1, 2008. At this time their USNS designations were replaced with SS designations as they were no longer US Navy Ships.
Antares propulsion failure
Quote from Global Security:- Unfortunately, one FSS, the Antares, failed off the East coast of the United States with a considerable amount of the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) equipment aboard. The ship was towed to Spain. Some of the cargo was airlifted to Saudi Arabia but most had to be unloaded and reloaded aboard another FSS returning from her initial voyage. This cargo arrived about three weeks later than planned. (Before the war, the Antares had been scheduled for major overhaul, but this was delayed. Thus a degree of risk was accepted in the decision to use Antares to speed the deployment.)
Fast Sealift Ships
- SS Algol (T-AKR-287)SS Algol (T-AKR-287)SS Algol is an Algol class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Ready Reserve Force . She was built by Rotterdamsche D.D.Mij N.V. in Rotterdam, Netherlands, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land Exchange...
(formerly SS Sea-Land Exchange) - SS Bellatrix (T-AKR-288)SS Bellatrix (T-AKR-288)SS Bellatrix is an Algol class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Ready Reserve Force . She was built by Rotterdamsche D.D.Mij N.V. in Rotterdam, Netherlands, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land Trade...
(formerly SS Sea-Land Trade) - SS Denebola (T-AKR-289)SS Denebola (T-AKR-289)SS Denebola is an Algol class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Ready Reserve Force . She was built by Rotterdamsche D.D.Mij N.V. in Rotterdam, Netherlands, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land Resource...
(formerly SS Sea-Land Resource) - SS Pollux (T-AKR-290)SS Pollux (T-AKR-290)USNS Pollux , later T-AKR-290, the fourth United States Navy ship of the name, is an Algol-class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Ready Reserve Force as SS Pollux .-Construction and early career:The ship was built as the...
(formerly SS Sea-Land Market) - SS Altair (T-AKR-291)SS Altair (T-AKR-291)SS Altair is an Algol class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Ready Reserve Force . She was built by Rheinstahl Nordseewerke in Emden, West Germany, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land Finance...
(formerly SS Sea-Land Finance) - SS Regulus (T-AKR-292)SS Regulus (T-AKR-292)SS Regulus is an Algol class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Ready Reserve Force . She was built by A.G. Weser in Bremen, West Germany, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land Commerce...
(formerly SS Sea-Land Commerce) - SS Capella (T-AKR-293)SS Capella (T-AKR-293)SS Capella is an Algol class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Ready Reserve Force . She was built by Rotterdamsche D.D.Mij N.V. in Rotterdam, Netherlands, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land McLean...
(formerly SS Sea-Land McLean) - SS Antares (T-AKR-294)SS Antares (T-AKR-294)SS Antares is an Algol class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Ready Reserve Force . She was built by A.G. Weser in Bremen, West Germany, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land Galloway...
(formerly SS Sea-Land Galloway)