Cape Ducato-class vehicle cargo ship explained

The Cape Ducato class are five roll-on/roll-off vehicle cargo ships of the United States Navy used to rapidly transport US military unit equipment such as tanks, helicopters, wheeled vehicles and other heavy equipment, to support deployed forces worldwide.

Built by Eriksbergs MV AB of Sweden and the Ateliers et Chantiers de France between 1971 and 1973, the ships served commercially before being purchased by the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) in late 1985 from the Barber Steamship Company.

All five ships are currently berthed at Charleston, South Carolina^[1] as part of the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) in Reduced Operational Status "ROS-5", which allows for a transition to full operating status within five days^[2] under the Military Sealift Command.

Ships

• . Laid down in 1972, as MV Barranduna by Eriksbergs MV, Sweden. Acquired by MARAD, 18 November 1985.^[3]
• . Laid down, c. 1972–1973, as MV Lalandia by Eriksbergs, Sweden. Purchased from Barber Steamship Co. by MARAD, 11 November 1985.^[4]
• . Laid down in 1971–1972, as MV Tarago by Ateliers et Chantiers de France. Purchased from Barber Steamship Co. by MARAD, 28 October 1985.^[5]
• . Laid down in 1972 as MV Tombarra at Eriksbergs MV AB, Sweden. Purchased from Barber Steamship Co. by MARAD, 10 October 1985.^[6]
• . Laid down in 1972 as MV Tricolor by Ateliers et Chantiers de France. Purchased from Barber Steamship Co. by MARAD, 16 October 1985.^[7]

Service history

In 1998, after Hurricane Mitch, Cape Ducato was one of several ships that transported construction materials to Nicaragua.^[8]

In March 2003 Cape Ducato and Cape Douglas were part of a six ship force ferrying part of the 4th Infantry Division to join the Iraq War.^[8]

All five ships of the class were activated in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.^[8]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Cape D Class Ro-Ro Vehicle Cargo Ships North Charleston, SC . wikimapia.org . 29 June 2010.
2. Web site: Reduced Operating Status . msc.navy.mil . 29 June 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100116122525/http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/reduced.htm . 16 January 2010 .
3. Web site: Vehicle Cargo Ship MV Cape Ducato . navsource.org . 29 June 2010.
4. Web site: Vehicle Cargo Ship MV Cape Douglas . navsource.org . 29 June 2010.
5. Web site: Vehicle Cargo Ship MV Cape Domingo . navsource.org . 29 June 2010.
6. Web site: Vehicle Cargo Ship MV Cape Decision . navsource.org . 29 June 2010.
7. Web site: Vehicle Cargo Ship MV Cape Diamond . navsource.org . 29 June 2010.
8. Web site: Ready Reserve Force (RRF) . globalsecurity.org . 29 June 2010.