MSCText Version of this page Military Sealift Command
Fact Sheet

U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command
Fact Sheet
December 2003

Container Ships - T-AK

Description: The container ships are part of Military Sealift Command's Prepositioning Program. MV Capt. Steven L. Bennett (T-AK 4296), MV Maj. Bernard F. Fisher (T-AK 4396) and MV Airman First Class William H. Pitsenbarger (T-AK 4638) carry U.S. Air Force cargo. MV Lt. Col. John U.D. Page (T-AK 4496) and MV Staff Sgt. Edward A. Carter Jr. (T-AK 4544) carry U.S. Army support equipment and supplies.

Features: MSC container ships are self-sustaining, meaning they have cranes that allow them to load and off-load themselves. This is an asset in ports with primitive, undeveloped or battle-damaged harbors.

Background: MV Capt. Steven L. Bennett was built in 1984 by Samsung Shipbuilding. MV Maj. Bernard F. Fisher is owned and operated by Sealift, Inc. MV A1C William H.Pitsenbarger is owned and operated by RR and VOLCC. MV Lt. Col. John U.D. Page and MV SSgt. Edward A Carter Jr. are owned and operated by Maersk Sealand. All are under charter to Military Sealift Command.

Point of contact:
   Public Affairs Office
   Military Sealift Command
   914 Charles Morris Court SE
   Washington Navy Yard, D.C. 20398-5540
   (202) 685-5055 or www.msc.navy.mil

General Characteristics: Capt. Steven L. Bennett Class
Builders: Samsung Shipbuilding
Power Plant: 1 diesel; 1 shaft
Length: 687 feet
Beam: 99.7 feet
Displacement: 53,727.26 long tons (54,589.48 metric tons) full load
Speed: 16.5 knots
Ship:
   MV Capt. Steven L. Bennett (T-AK 4296)
Crew: 26 civilians

General Characteristics: A1C William H. Pitsenbarger
Owners: RR and VOLCC
Power Plant: 1 reversible diesel; 1 shaft
Length: 621 feet
Beam: 105 feet
Displacement: 31,986 long tons full load
Speed: 17.5 knots
   MV A1C William H. Pitsenbarger (T-AK 4638)
Crew: 23 civilians

General Characteristics: Maj. Bernard F. Fisher
Owners: Sealift, Inc.
Power Plant: 1 BMW diesel; 1 shaft
Length: 652 feet
Beam: 105 feet
Displacement: 48,000 long tons full load
Speed: 19 knots
   MV Maj. Bernard F. Fisher (T-AK 4396)
Crew: 21 civilians

General Characteristics: Lt. Col. John U.D. Page
Builders: Daewoo Shipbuilding
Power Plant: 1 diesel; 1 shaft
Length: 950 feet
Beam: 106 feet
Displacement: 74,500 long tons full load
Speed: 18 knots
Ships:
   MV Lt. Col. John U.D. Page (T-AK 4496)
   MV SSgt. Edward A. Carter Jr. (T-AK 4544)
Crew: 22 civilians

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This is an Official U.S. Navy Web site and is the official web site of the Military Sealift Command. For more information on employment with the Navy, visit Navy Jobs. MSC reports to Fleet Forces Command and is one of three component commands reporting to the U.S. Transportation Command, known as USTRANSCOM.