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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USNS Vega (T-AK-286)

International Radio Call Sign:
November- Yankee - Mike - Zulu
 NYMZ
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (4) - National Defense Service Medal
Vega Class Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down, 27 April 1981, as SS Mormcabay a Maritime Administration type (C3-S-33a) hull under Maritime Administration contract (MA 68), at Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Chester, PA.
  • Launched, date unknown
  • Delivered to the Moore McCormack Shipping Co., date unknown
  • Acquired by the US Navy, 18 March 1983
  • Converted to provide support services for the advanced FBM bases at Holy Loch and Rota
  • Placed in service with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) as USNS Vega (T-AK-286), date unknown
  • Placed out of service, date unknown
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 7 November 1998
  • Laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Fort Eustis, VA.
  • Title Transfer to the Maritime Administration (MARAD), 1 April 1998
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping. Contract awarded 30 March 1999 to D & D Steel, Inc., Brownsville, TX. Sold for $1000.
    Specifications:
    Displacement16,400 t.
    Length 147.6 m
    Beam 10.7 m
    Draft 9.4 m
    Speed 18 kts
    Range 25,900 km @18 kts
    Propulsion 12,100 PS HP Dampf-Turbines Steam Turbines, 1 Schraube Screw
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Procyon
    0913001710    		 64k
    Namesake
    Vega is the brightest star in the northern constellation of Lyra. This star is relatively close at only 25 light-years from the Sun, and, together with Arcturus and Sirius, one of the most luminous stars in the Sun's neighborhood. It is the fifth-brightest star in the night sky, and the second-brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere, after Arcturus.
    To find the star Vega in the constellation Lyra, look directly overhead. North lies at the top of the sky map. (Image credit: Starry Night Software)    		 Tommy Trampp
    Vega 196k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Ed Lanni, Captain USNS Vaga
    Vega 178k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) moored pierside, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 William Zarkas, Retired MSC Boatswain
    President, MSC Retiree Association
    Vega 28k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) moored pierside at New Orleans, LA., 19 March 1983.
    DOD photo # DNSN8309324, photo by Boland Marine.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Vega 50k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) underway in the Atlantic Ocean during acceptance trials, 4 May 1983.
    DOD photo # DNSC8401113, photo by Boland Marine.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Vega 71k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) underway in the Atlantic Ocean during acceptance trials, 4 May 1983.
    DOD photo # DNSC8401112, photo by Boland Marine.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Vega 55k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) underway in the Atlantic Ocean during acceptance trials, 4 May 1983.
    DOD photo # DNSC8401111, photo by Boland Marine.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Vega 70k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) underway in the Atlantic Ocean during acceptance trials, 4 May 1983.
    DOD photo # DNSC8401110, photo by Boland Marine.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Vega 46k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) underway in the Atlantic Ocean during acceptance trials, 4 May 1983.
    DOD photo # DNSC8401109, photo by Boland Marine.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Vega 52k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) underway in the Atlantic Ocean during acceptance trials, 4 May 1983.
    DOD photo # DNSC8401108, photo by Boland Marine.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Vega 58k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) underway in the Atlantic Ocean during acceptance trials, 4 May 1983.
    DOD photo # DNSC8401107, photo by Boland Marine.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Vega 44k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) moored pierside at Boland Marine Shipyard, New Orleans, LA., 18 March 1983.
    DOD photo # DNSN8401096, photo by Boland Marine.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Vega 38k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) moored pierside at Boland Marine Shipyard, New Orleans, LA., 18 March 1983.
    DOD photo # DNSN8401093, photo by Boland Marine.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Vega 60k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) moored pierside at Boland Marine Shipyard, New Orleans, LA., 18 March 1983.
    DOD photo # DNSN8309325, photo by Boland Marine.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Vega 46k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) moored pierside at Boland Marine Shipyard, New Orleans, LA., 18 March 1983.
    DOD photo # DNSN8309322, photo by Boland Marine.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Vega 42k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) moored pierside at Boland Marine Shipyard, New Orleans, LA., (date unknown).
    DOD photo    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Vega 62k USNS Vega (T-AK-286) moored pierside at Boland Marine Shipyard, New Orleans, LA., (date unknown).
    DOD photo    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    There is no DANFS history available for Vega (T-AK-286) at Navsource
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    MARAD Vessel History Database
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 16 October 2020