Maritime Prepositioning ship
Encyclopedia
The 31 Maritime Prepositioning Ships (MPS) are part of the United States Military Sealift Command
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...

's (MSC) Prepositioning Program. They are strategically positioned around the globe to support the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Defense Logistics Agency. Most are named after Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...

 recipients from the service they are intended to support from various wars.

The MPS ships are assigned to three Maritime Prepositioning Ship squadrons located in the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean at Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia is a tropical, footprint-shaped coral atoll located south of the equator in the central Indian Ocean at 7 degrees, 26 minutes south latitude. It is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory [BIOT] and is positioned at 72°23' east longitude....

 and the Western Pacific at Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...

 and Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...

. The MPS ships in each squadron have sufficient equipment, supplies and ammunition to support a Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force for 30 days. The MPS ships are self-sustaining, having cranes which enable them to unload their own cargo at sea or pierside.

The first two ship classes used for the MPS role (the Corporal Louis J. Hauge, Jr. and Sergeant Matej Kocak classes) were chartered by MSC from civilian shipping lines and converted for the role. Later ships were purpose-built.

Sergeant Matej Kocak Class

The Sergeant Matej Kocak Class, the second class of MPS ships chartered by MSC, also gained 157 feet (48 m) amidships and a helicopter landing platform after conversion. These ships, delivered to MSC in the mid-1980s, built at Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.
Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.
Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Company was a major shipbuilding company in Chester, Pennsylvania, about 15 miles south of Philadelphia on the Delaware River. Its primary product was tankers, but the company built many types of ships over its 70-year history. During World War II, it participated in the...

, Chester, Pennsylvania and converted at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company
National Steel and Shipbuilding Company
National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...

, San Diego. They were previously owned by Waterman Steamship Corporation
Waterman Steamship Corporation
Waterman Steamship Corporation is an American deep sea ocean carrier, specializing in liner services and time charter contracts. It is owned by International Shipholding Corporation, based in Mobile, Alabama....

 but recently sold to MSC and still operated by Waterman.
  • Builder: Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.
    Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.
    Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Company was a major shipbuilding company in Chester, Pennsylvania, about 15 miles south of Philadelphia on the Delaware River. Its primary product was tankers, but the company built many types of ships over its 70-year history. During World War II, it participated in the...

    , Chester, PA; General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division
    Fore River Shipyard
    The Fore River Shipyard of Quincy, Massachusetts, more formally known as the Fore River Ship and Engine Building Company, was a shipyard in the United States from 1883 until 1986. Located on the Weymouth Fore River, the yard began operations in 1883 in Braintree, Massachusetts before being moved...

    , Quincy, MA
  • Converted: National Steel and Shipbuilding Company
    National Steel and Shipbuilding Company
    National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...

    , San Diego, CA
  • Power Plant: 2 boilers; 2 GE turbines; 30,000 hp (22 MW); 1 shaft
  • Length: 821 feet (250.2 m)
  • Beam: 105.6 feet (32.2 m)
  • Displacement: 48,754 tons (49,536 metric tons) full load
  • Cargo capacity: Containers, 532; ro-ro, 152,236 ft² (14,143 m²); JP-5 barrels, 20,290; DF-2 barrels, 12,355; Mogas barrels, 3,717; stable water, 2,189; cranes, 2 twin 50 ton and 1-30 ton gantry
  • Helicopters: platform only
  • Speed: 20 knots
  • Ships:
    • (formerly SS Sgt. Matej Kocak, SS John B. Waterman)
    • (formerly SS PFC Eugene A. Obregon, SS Thomas Heywood)
    • (formerly SS Maj. Stephen W. Pless, SS Charles Carroll)
  • Crew: 34 civilians, 10 technicians

2nd Lieutenant John P. Bobo Class

The 2nd Lieutenant John P. Bobo Class ships are new construction ships delivered to MSC in the mid-1980s from General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division, Quincy, Mass. They were owned by American Overseas Marine (AMSEA) but have been recently sold to MSC and are still operated by AMSEA.
  • Builders: General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division
    Fore River Shipyard
    The Fore River Shipyard of Quincy, Massachusetts, more formally known as the Fore River Ship and Engine Building Company, was a shipyard in the United States from 1883 until 1986. Located on the Weymouth Fore River, the yard began operations in 1883 in Braintree, Massachusetts before being moved...

    , Quincy, MA
  • Power Plant: 2 Stork-Werkspoor 16TM410 diesels; 27,000 hp (20 MW) sustained; 1 shaft, bow *thruster; 1,000 hp (750 kW)
  • Length: 675.2 feet (205.8 m)
  • Beam: 105.5 feet (32.2 m)
  • Displacement: 44,330 tons (45,041 metric tons) full load
  • Cargo capacity: Containers, 530; ro-ro, 152,185 ft² (14,138 m²); JP-5 barrels, 20,776; DF-2 barrels, 13,334; Mogas barrels, 4,880; stable water, 2,357; cranes, 1 single and 2 twin 39 ton
  • Helicopters: platform only
  • Speed: 18 knots
  • Ships:
    • (formerly MV 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo)
    • (formerly MV PFC Dewayne T. Williams)
    • (formerly MV 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez)
    • (formerly MV 1st Lt. Jack Lummus)
    • (formerly MV Sgt. William R. Button)
  • Crew: 38 civilians, 10 technicians

Capt Steven L. Bennett Class

  • Length: 687 feet (209.4 m)
  • Beam: 100 feet (30.5 m)
  • Draft: 38 feet, 1 inch
  • Displacement: 52,878 long tons
  • Speed: 18.3 knots
  • Civilian: 24 contract mariners

SSG Edward A. Carter, Jr. Class

  • Length: 949.8 feet (289.5 m)
  • Beam: 105.9 feet (32.3 m)
  • Draft: 35 feet (10.7 m)
  • Displacement: 74,500 long tons
  • Speed: 18 knots
  • Civilian: 22 contract mariners

Buffalo Soldier Class

  • Length: 670 feet (204.2 m)
  • Beam: 87 feet (26.5 m)
  • Draft: 34 feet (10.4 m), six inches
  • Displacement: 26,378 long tons
  • Speed: 16 knots
  • Civilian: 21 contract mariners

Maj. Bernard F. Fisher Class

  • Length: 652 feet (198.7 m)
  • Beam: 105 feet (32 m)
  • Draft: 34 feet (10.4 m)
  • Displacement: 48,000 long tons
  • Speed: 19.0 knots
  • Civilian: 24 contract mariners

1st Lt. Harry L. Martin Class

  • Length: 754 feet (229.8 m)
  • Beam: 105 feet, 10 inches
  • Draft: 35 feet, 11 inches
  • Displacement: 51,531 long tons
  • Speed: 17 knots
  • Civilian: 25 contract mariners

LCPL Roy M. Wheat Class

  • Length: 863 feet 2 inches
  • Beam: 98 feet 5 inches
  • Draft: 35 feet (10.7 m)
  • Displacement: 50,570 long tons
  • Speed: 20.5 knots
  • Civilian: 29 contract mariners

LTC John U. D. Page Class

  • Length: 949.8 feet (289.5 m)
  • Beam: 105.9 feet (32.3 m)
  • Draft: 35 feet (10.7 m)
  • Displacement: 74,500 long tons
  • Speed: 18 knots
  • Civilian: 20 contract mariners

HSV 2 Class

  • Length: 331 feet 4 inches
  • Beam: 87 feet 5 inches
  • Draft: 11 feet (3.4 m)
  • Displacement: 1,463.6 short tons
  • Speed: 35 knots
  • Civilian: 17 contract mariners
  • Military: as required by mission
    • HSV-2 Swift
      HSV-2 Swift
      HSV-2 Swift is a non-commissioned, hybrid catamaran originally leased by the United States Navy as a mine countermeasures and sea basing test platform. She is now privately owned and operated by Sealift Inc. and charted to Military Sealift Command. She is primarily used for fleet support and...


Westpac Express Class

  • Length: 331 feet (100.9 m)
  • Beam: 87 feet (26.5 m)
  • Draft: 14 feet (4.3 m)
  • Displacement: NOTE: 32000 square feet (2,972.9 m²) of cargo capacity, designed for roll-on/roll-off
  • Speed: 33 knots
  • Civilian: 14 contract mariners

Watson Class

Built at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company
National Steel and Shipbuilding Company
National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...

 in San Diego, CA
  • Length: 950 feet (289.6 m)
  • Beam: 106 feet (32.3 m)
  • Draft: 34 feet (10.4 m)
  • Displacement: 62,644 long tons
  • Power Plant: 2 GE Marine LM 2500 gas turbine
    Gas turbine
    A gas turbine, also called a combustion turbine, is a type of internal combustion engine. It has an upstream rotating compressor coupled to a downstream turbine, and a combustion chamber in-between....

    s; 64,000 hp (7.7 MW); 2 shafts, cp props
    Controllable pitch propeller
    A controllable pitch propeller or variable pitch propeller is a type of propeller with blades that can be rotated around their long axis to change their pitch...

  • Speed: 24.0 knots
  • Civilian: 30 contract mariners
  • Military: 5

Tankers

  • Length: 615 feet (187.5 m)
  • Beam: 90 feet (27.4 m)
  • Draft: 36 feet (11 m)
  • Displacement: 39,624 long tons
  • Speed: 16.0 knots
  • Civilian: 24 contract mariners

Offshore Petroleum Distribution System

  • Length: 348.5 feet (106.2 m)
  • Beam: 70 feet (21.3 m)
  • Draft: 26 feet (7.9 m)
  • Displacement:
  • Speed: 15 knots
  • Civilian: 26 contract mariners

Activated Ready Reserve Fleet Ships

The following are part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet
National Defense Reserve Fleet
The National Defense Reserve Fleet consists of "mothballed" ships, mostly merchant vessels, that can be activated within 20 to 120 days to provide shipping for the United States of America during national emergencies, either military or non-military, such as commercial shipping crises.The NDRF is...

 but have been activated and are pre-positioned.

Modular Cargo Delivery System Ship

  • Length: 565 feet (172.2 m)
  • Beam: 76 feet (23.2 m)
  • Draft: 31 feet (9.4 m)
  • Displacement: 22,929 long tons
  • Speed: 17.0 knots
  • Civilian: 38 contract mariners

Wright Class

Dedicated to USMC aviation logistics support.
  • Length: 602 feet (183.5 m)
  • Beam: 90 feet, 2 inches
  • Draft: 32 feet, 10 inches
  • Displacement: 23,800 long tons
  • Speed: 19 knots
  • Civilian: 41 contract mariners

Corporal Louis J. Hauge, Jr. class

The Corporal Louis J. Hauge, Jr. Class is the original class of MPS ships chartered by Military Sealift Command. The five ships are Maersk Line ships converted by Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
The Bethlehem Steel Corporation , based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was once the second-largest steel producer in the United States, after Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based U.S. Steel. After a decline in the U.S...

. During conversion, the ships gained an additional 157 feet (48 m) amidships and a helicopter landing pad, among other things. They have since been returned to Maersk for commercial use and are no longer part of the MPS program.
  • Builder: Odense Staalskibsvaerft A/S, Lindo
  • Power Plant: 1 Sulzer 7RND76M diesel; 16,800 hp (13 MW); 1 shaft; bow thruster
  • Length: 755 feet (230 m)
  • Beam: 90 feet (27.4 m)
  • Displacement: 46,552 tons (47,299 t) full load
  • Speed: 17.5 knots (32 km/h)
  • Ships:
    • (formerly MV Estelle Maersk)
    • (formerly MV Eleo Maersk)
    • (formerly MV Emma Maersk)
    • (formerly MV Emilie Maersk)
    • (formerly Pvt. Harry Fisher, MV Evelyn Maersk)
  • Crew: 32 civilians, 10 technicians

Further reading

  • 'The Maritime Prepositioning Force and the U.S. Marines,' Asia-Pacific Defense Forum, Spring 1999
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