SS Cape May (T-AKR-5063)

Cape May in drydock in 2006
History
United States
Name	SS Almeria Lykes
Owner	Sea Lift Command
Builder	General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division, Quincy, Massachusetts
Laid down	October 31st, 1971
Launched	February 27th 1972
Acquired	September 26th 1972
Commissioned	She was purchased on July 25th 1986, by the US dept of transportation Maritime Administration
Renamed	SS Cape May
Status	laid up in a layberth at Naval Station Norfolk, VA. in FOS-5 status
General characteristics
Class and type	Heavy Lift Barge Carrier
Displacement	18,900 tons empty, 55,660 full
Length	876 ft
Beam	106 ft
Draft	40 ft
Propulsion	two steam turbines, two shafts
Speed	16.2 kts.
Range	not disclosed
Capacity	24 barges, 19 CAFS
Complement	34 when operational, 9 while in reserve
Time to activate	5 days
Armament	none
Aviation facilities	Capable of landing a helicopter but not basing one

SS Cape May (T-AKR-5063) is a steam turbine powered heavy-lift SEABEE barge carrier, one of two ships of her type in the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force.

She was originally built as the Maritime Administration type (C8-S-82a) hull SS Almeria Lykes, ON 536671, IMO 7205958, under MARAD contract (MA 241), for commercial use with the Lykes Brothers Steamship Company. She was laid down on 31 October 1971, at the General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division, MA, hull no. 18, launched on 27 February 1972, and delivered for service on 26 September 1972. The ship was turned over to MARAD 25 July 1986, and assigned to MSC's RRF as SS Cape May (AKR-5063)

Cape May is used in various tasks for the US military in heavy transport of goods in various theaters of action. She is currently in ready reserve status ready to be called upon for any large cargo work needed.

External links

•  This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.
• SS Cape May
• SS Cape May NavSource
• Vehicle Cargo Ships - AKR