Seafarers last month crewed up the USNS Shughart in Norfolk, Va., signaling the start of the turnover of nine military support ships to SIU-contracted American Overseas Marine Corporation (AMSEA).As previously reported, AMSEA last fall was awarded an operating agreement for nine large, medium-speed, roll-on/ roll-off vessels (LMSRs), including the Shughart. Transfer of the operation had been delayed because of protests by the previous operator. However, the protest to the Government Accountability Office was withdrawn, and the Shughart signaled the start of the turnover that is expected to be completed no later than early this summer.
Seafarers already are sailing aboard two other LMRS—the USNS Gordon and USNS Gilliland—whose separate contract award to 3PSC, LLC was announced at the same time as AMSEA’s.
“Since the awards were first delivered by the Military Sealift Command (MSC), the union expected all along that SIU members would man these ships,” noted SIU Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez. “That’s exactly what’s happening, and it means additional jobs for the SIU.”
AMSEA will operate the seven Bob Hope-class ships and two converted vessels. The Bop Hope ships are the USNS Benavidez, USNS Bob Hope, USNS Brittin, USNS Fisher, USNS Mendonca, USNS Pililaau and USNS Seay. The converted ships are the USNS Shughart and USNS Yano.
Both AMSEA’s and 3PSC’s operating agreements in effect are four years apiece. Officially they are four one-year agreements renewable each year.
The Seay and the Mendonca tentatively are slated for turnover this month, followed by the Yano, Bob Hope and Fisher in May, and the Benavidez, Brittin and Pililaau in June. The turnover may be moved up.
The Bob Hope ships were built at Avondale in New Orleans, with delivery dates ranging from 1998 to 2003. The Shughart and Yano were converted at NASSCO in San Diego, while the Gordon and Gilliland were converted at Newport News (Va.) Shipbuilding. The converted vessels formerly were containerships; all were delivered to MSC by late 1997.
MSC cites two key missions—prepositioning and surge sealift—for its LMSRs, including eight Seafarers-crewed Watson-class vessels. The ships vary in length from about 900 feet to approximately 950 feet.
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