The National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) consists of ships of the United States, mostly merchant vessels, that have been mothballed but can be activated within 20 to 120 days to provide shipping during national military emergencies, or non-military emergencies such as commercial shipping crises.
The NDRF is managed by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD). It is distinct from the United States Navy reserve fleets, which consist largely of naval vessels.
NDRF vessels are at the fleet sites at James River, Virginia (James River Reserve Fleet); Beaumont, Texas (Beaumont Reserve Fleet); and Suisun Bay, California (Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet); and at designated outported berths. Former anchorage sites included Stony Point, New York (Hudson River Reserve Fleet); Wilmington, North Carolina; Mobile, Alabama; Astoria, Oregon; and Olympia, Washington.
Through the 2010s, the oldest, most decrepit hulls at Suisun Bay were stripped of toxic materials, then broken up in Texas, California, or Asia. Twenty of the most polluting mothball ships were recycled by 2012, and another 32 by 2017.
At its peak, in 1950, the NDRF had 2,277 ships in lay-up. In 2003, it had 274. In July 2007, it held 230 ships, primarily dry-cargo ships, with some tankers, military auxiliaries, and other types. In December 2021, the number of ships was down to 91.[1]
The NDRF was established under Section 11 of the Merchant Ship Sales Act of 1946 to serve as a reserve of ships for national defense and national emergencies.
NDRF vessels were used in seven wars and crises:
In 1976, a Ready Reserve Force component was established as a subset of the NDRF to provide rapid deployment of military equipment and later became known as the Ready Reserve Force, which numbers 72 vessels. These are crewed with a reduced crew but kept available for activation within four, five, ten or twenty days.[2]
An additional 28 ships are held under United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) custody for other Government agencies on a cost-reimbursable basis.
Vessels with military utility or logistic value are held in retention status and are in a preservation program that is designed to keep them in the same condition as when they enter the fleet. The internal spaces are dehumidified to slow the corrosion of metal and the growth of mold and mildew. DC power is distributed through anodes to the exterior underwater portions of the hull, creating an electric field that suppresses corrosion and preserves the surface of the hull. External painting and other cosmetic work are generally deferred since they do not affect the ability to activate and operate the vessel.[3]
MARAD is authorized as the government's disposal agent through the NDRF program for merchant type vessels equal to or greater than 1,500 gross tons. A state agency can file an application to request title to a vessel "as-is where-is" from the NDRF for the purpose of creating an artificial reef. A total of 51 vessels have been transferred to 10 states under the program including: Texas (12), Florida (10), North Carolina (7), Virginia (6), Alabama (5), Mississippi (5), Georgia (2), South Carolina (2), California (1), and New Jersey (1). Of the 132 non-retention vessels in the NDRF, there are 117 that are being prepared for disposal.
The NDRF program can give and lend historic artifacts to maritime-heritage organizations and transfer entire ships to memorial associations through special legislation.
Reserve Fleet Inactive naval ships of merchant design, including amphibious ships but not ships maintained in a mobilization status by MARAD for Military Sealift Command (MSC), may be laid up in the NDRF when overcrowded berthing conditions exist at a Navy Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility. Battleships, cruisers, and aircraft carriers which have been stricken or those awaiting final disposition may be transferred to MARAD locations for berthing. Initially, these ships will be transferred to MARAD for caretaking in accordance with the Economy Act of 1932.
Ships transferred to the NDRF may be retained in Navy Mobilization Plans and maintained by MARAD under priorities set by the Department of the Navy. If the Navy decides it no longer needs the ship, the Secretary of the Navy strikes the ship from the Naval Vessel Register and transfers the title to MARAD. When possible, MARAD gets first disposition rights, which allows it to convert merchant ships to the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) or to sell the ship for scrapping in connection with the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, Sec. 508, and use the proceeds to buy more supply ships.[4]
The Suisun Bay location contained 324 ships in 1959.[5] Forty years later, the number was down by about 250, but pollutants had begun to accumulate in the area. Paint containing toxins such as lead, copper, zinc and barium had been flaking off many of the ships' hulls and superstructures. By June 2007, some 21 tons of toxic paint debris was estimated to have been shed from the ships, to settle in the bay sediment.[6] A further 65 tons of paint was estimated to be in danger of flaking off.[6]
David Matsuda, acting administrator of MARAD, said in March 2010 "We are moving expeditiously to remove the worst-polluting ships first and diligently moving to clean the rest."[7] Some 52 ships were identified as problematic, and were scheduled for removal and recycling by September 2017.[6] The process began in October 2009; as of October 2012, 36 ships had been removed and the disposal effort was ahead of schedule.[8] One such vessel, the SS Winthrop, the last Victory ship of the California mothball fleet, was towed in March 2010 to BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair dock to be cleaned of barnacles and plant matter before its final journey to ship breakers in Brownsville, Texas.[9] The hull cleaning was prescribed by the U.S. Coast Guard to prevent the spread of California species to other locations.[6] Some of the recycling work may be completed in the San Francisco Bay Area, specifically at the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard—an application for such work is under permit review. Some $38 million in federal funds will be used to complete the dismantling project.
| Name | Division | Hull No. | Year Built | Design | Home Port | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RRF - Roll-On/Roll-Off | |||||||
| Pacific | AKR 1001 | 1967 | Gas Turbine | Oakland, CA | RRF | ||
| Pacific | T-AKR 287 | 1972 | Navy Cargo | San Francisco, CA | RRF | ||
| Gulf | T-AKR 291 | 1973 | Navy Cargo | Marrerro, LA | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | T-AKR 294 | 1973 | Navy Cargo | Baltimore, MD | RRF | ||
| Gulf | T-AKR 288 | 1973 | LMSR | Marrerro, LA | RRF | ||
| Pacific | T-AKR 300 | 1997 | LMSR | Portland, Or | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 5584 | 1997 | Vehicle Carrier | Pascagoula, MS | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 5585 | 1997 | Vehicle Carrier | Pascagoula, MS | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 5054 | 1973 | G1-Dsl/s | Charleston, SC | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 5055 | 1972 | G1-Dsl/F | Charleston, SC | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 5053 | 1973 | G1-Dsl/F | Charleston, SC | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 5052 | 1973 | G1-Dsl/F | Charleston, SC | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 5051 | 1972 | G1-Dsl/F | Charleston, SC | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 5069 | 1971 | G0-Dsl/S | Charleston, SC | RRF | ||
| Pacific | AKR 5067 | 1979 | G2-Dsl/Japan | San Francisco, CA | RRF | ||
| Pacific | AKR 5068 | 1979 | G2-Dsl/N | San Francisco, CA | RRF | ||
| Pacific | AKR 5066 | 1979 | G2-Dsl/N | San Francisco, CA | RRF | ||
| Pacific | AKR 5076 | 1976 | C7-S-95a | Long Beach, CA | RRF | ||
| Pacific | T-AKR11 | 1976 | C7-S-95a | Tacoma, WA | RRF | ||
| Pacific | AKR 5062 | 1976 | C7-S-95a | Long Beach, CA | RRF | ||
| Pacific | T-AKR10 | 1977 | C7-S-95a | Tacoma, WA | RRF | ||
| Gulf | AKR 5083 | 1979 | Dsl/Netherland | New Orleans, LA | RRF | ||
| Gulf | AKR 5082 | 1978 | Dsl/Netherland | New Orleans, LA | RRF | ||
| Pacific | AKR 2044 | 1981 | Dsl/Sweden | Oakland, CA | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 9960 | 1977 | Dsl/Japan | Portsmouth, VA | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 9679 | 1977 | Dsl/Japan | Portsmouth, VA | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 9678 | 1977 | Dsl/Japan | Portsmouth, VA | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 5586 | 2013 | Jolly | Portsmouth, VA | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 5587 | 2012 | Jolly | Norfolk, VA | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 5588 | 2012 | Jolly | Portsmouth, VA | RRF | ||
| Gulf | AKR 113 | 1977 | Dsl/Japan | Port of Beaumont, TX | RRF | ||
| Gulf | AKR 112 | 1977 | Dsl/Japan | Port of Beaumont, TX | RRF | ||
| Gulf | AKR 9711 | 1977 | Dsl/Germany | Port of Beaumont, TX | RRF | ||
| Gulf | AKR 9701 | 1984 | Dsl/Italy | BRF East Dock, Beaumont, TX | RRF | ||
| Gulf | AKR 9666 | 1984 | Dsl/Italy | BRF East Dock, Beaumont, TX | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 9961 | 1982 | Dsl/Poland | Baltimore, MD | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | AKR 9962 | 1982 | Dsl/Poland | Baltimore, MD | RRF | ||
| Pacific | T-AKR 293 | 1972 | FSS/SL7 | San Francisco, CA | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | T-AKR 298 | 1973 | LMSR | Baltimore, MD | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | T-AKR 289 | 1973 | FSS/SL7 | Baltimore, MD | RRF | ||
| Pacific | T-AKR 301 | 1997 | LMSR | Portland, OR | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | T-AKR 296 | 1973 | LMSR | Baltimore, MD | RRF | ||
| Gulf | T-AKR 303 | 2001 | LMSR | BRF East Dock, Beaumont, TX | RRF | ||
| Pacific | T-AKR 305 | 1999 | LMSR | San Francisco, CA | RRF | ||
| Gulf | T-AKR 290 | 1973 | FSS/SL7 | BRF East Dock, Beaumont, TX | RRF | ||
| Gulf | T-AKR 292 | 1972 | FSS/SL7 | BRF East Dock, Beaumont, TX | RRF | ||
| Gulf | T-AKR 306 | 1997 | LMSR | Norfolk, VA | RRF | ||
| RRF - Crane Ship | |||||||
| Atlantic | T-ACS 6 | 1969 | C5-S-MA73c | Newport News, VA | RRF | ||
| Pacific | T-ACS 2 | 1966 | C6-S-MA1qd | Alameda, CA | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | T-ACS4 | 1972 | C5-S-MA73c | Newport News, VA | RRF | ||
| Pacific | T-ACS 1 | 1966 | C6-S-MA1qd | Alameda, CA | RRF | ||
| RRF - Break Bulk | |||||||
| Pacific | T-AVB 4 | 1969 | C5-S-78a | Vancouver, WA | RRF | ||
| Atlantic | T-AVB 3 | 1970 | C5-S-78a | Norfolk, VA | RRF | ||
| Retention - Passenger Ship | |||||||
| Empire State | HQ | NSMV-1 | 2023 | NSMV | New York, NY | School Ship | |
| (R) | Atlantic | 7925314 | 1981 | Research Vessel | Piney Point, MD | School Ship | |
| Atlantic | T-AGOS 2 | 1984 | AGOS-1 | BRF, Beaumont, TX | School Ship | ||
| Pacific | T-AGS 39 | 1971 | S4-M-MA154a | Vallejo, CA | School Ship | ||
| Invincible | HQ | T-AGM 24 | 1987 | AGOS-1 | JRRF, Ft. Eustis, VA | Interim Hold | |
| Atlantic | T-AK 5059 | 1967 | S5-S-MA66b | Buzzards Bay, MA | School Ship | ||
| Atlantic | 7925302 | 1981 | Research | Kings Point, NY | School Ship | ||
| Atlantic | T-AGS 40 | 1989 | S4-M-MA154b | Castine, ME | School Ship | ||
| Gulf | T-AGOS 6 | 1985 | Navy OcnSurv | Traverse City, MI | School Ship | ||
| Retention - Other | |||||||
| Pacific | T-AGS 29 | 1970 | S3-M-MA-153c | Portland, OR | Other Agency Use | ||
| Pacific | MA #144 | 1965 | S6-S-MA60e | Portland, OR | Other Agency Use | ||
| Retention - Barge | |||||||
| FB-62 (APL BARGE) | Pacific | APL-24 | 1944 | Barracks CRF | SBRF, Benicia, CA | Fleet Support | |
| Retention - Crane Ship | |||||||
| Atlantic | T-ACS 5 | 1967 | C5-S-MA73c | JRRF, Ft. Eustis, VA | Logistics Support | ||
| Pacific | T-ACS 3 | 1965 | C6-s-MA1qd | SBRF, Benicia, CA | Logistics Support | ||
| Retention - Break Bulk | |||||||
| Atlantic | AK 5009 | 1962 | C4-S-58a | JRRF, Ft. Eustis, VA | Training Use | ||
| Atlantic | AK 5013 | 1963 | C4-S-58a | JRRF, Ft. Eustis, VA | Training Use | ||
| Pacific | AK 5057 | 1966 | C4-S-66a | SBRF, Benicia, CA | Logistics Support | ||
| Atlantic | AK 5036 | 1963 | C3-S-37c | Charleston, SC | Other Agency Use | ||
| Atlantic | MA 200 | 1968 | C3-S-76a | Little Creek, VA | Other Agency Use | ||
| Atlantic | 55 | 1962 | P2-N1-MA40a | Baltimore, MD | National Register | ||
| Retention - Barge Ship | |||||||
| Pacific | AKR 5063 | 1973 | C8-S-82a | BRF, Beaumont, TX | Militarily Useful | ||
| Pacific | AKR 5065 | 1973 | C8-S-82a | BRF, Beaumont, TX | Militarily Useful | ||
| Non-retention - Tanker | |||||||
| Atlantic | T-AO 193 | 1987 | Fleet Replenishment Oiler | JRRF, Ft. Eustis, VA | Disposal | ||
| Non-retention - Crane Ship | |||||||
| Gulf | T-ACS 7 | 1960 | C6-S-MA1xb | BRF, Beaumont, TX | Disposal | ||
| Pacific | T-ACS 9 | 1965 | C6-S-MA60d | SBRF, Benicia, CA | Disposal | ||
| Non-retention - Break Bulk | |||||||
| Pacific | T-AK 5029 | 1961 | C4-S-1u | SBRF, Benicia, CA | Disposal | ||
| Non-retention Barge Ship | |||||||
| Pacific | AK 5061 | 1971 | C8-S-81b | SBRF, Benicia, CA | Disposal | ||
| Non-retention - Roll-On/Roll-Off | |||||||
| Maj. Stephen W. Pless | Atlantic | T-AK 3007 | 1983 | RORO Combination | JRRF, Ft. Eustis, VA | Disposal | |
| PFC Eugene A. Obregon | Atlantic | T-AK 3006 | 1985 | RORO Combination | JRRF, Ft. Eustis, VA | Disposal | |
| Sgt. Matej Kocak | Atlantic | T-AK 3005 | 1980 | RORO Combination | JRRF, Ft. Eustis, VA | Disposal | |
| Gulf | T-AKR 295 | 1980 | Navy Cargo | BRF East Dock, Beaumont, TX | Disposal | ||
| Gulf | T-AKR 297 | 1980 | Navy Cargo | BRF East Dock, Beaumont, TX | Disposal | ||
| Non-retention - Barge | |||||||
| Pacific | FB-63 | 1945 | Repair barge | SBRF, Benicia, CA | Disposal | ||