Name SS Almeria Lykes Laid down October 31st, 1971 Renamed SS Cape May Launched 27 February 1972 Draft 12 m Builder Fore River Shipyard | Owner Sea Lift Command Acquired September 26th 1972 Construction started 31 October 1971 Length 267 m Beam 32 m | |
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Commissioned She was purchased on July 25th 1986, by the US dept of transportation Maritime Administration | ||
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.