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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

MV American Merlin (AK-9302)
MV Merlin (AK-323)
MV TSgt. John A. Chapman (AK-323)

Container Roll-on/Roll-off Ship Logistics Prepositioning Ship:
  • Built in 1978 in France as MV CGM Utirillo
  • Purchased in 1992 by American Automar, re-flagged US and renamed MV American Merlin
  • Acquired by the US Navy Military Sealift Command (MSC) under long term lease
  • MV American Merlin (AK-9302 was operated for MSC as part of the Prepositioning Program until 2001
  • MV American Merlin (AK-9302) was one of the Military Sealift Command's seven Container Ships and was part of the 36 ships in the Prepositioning Program
  • MV American Merlin was assigned to Maritime Prepositioning Program Squadron Two and operated out of Diego Garcia
  • Returned to her owners after completion of her MSC charter in late 2001
  • Acquired by Sealift Inc and renamed MV Merlin
  • Reacquired by MSC under long term contract in 2003
  • MV Merlin (AK-323) is operated and maintained by Sealift Inc and is one of MSC's seventeen Roll-on/Roll-off container ships of the 36 ship Prepositioning Program
  • MV Merlin (AK-323) is assigned to Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron One and is assigned to the European area
  • Renamed MV TSgt. John A. Chapman (AK-323), 8 April 2005
    Specifications:
    Displacement 26,438 t.(lt), 40,357 t.(fl)
    Length 670'
    Beam 87'
    Draft 34' (max)
    Speed 16 kts.
    Cargo Capacity 143,000 sq ft., 1,063 20-ft containers.
    Armament none
    Complement 19 Civilian Mariners
    Propulsion 2 SEMT-Pielstick 18 PC2.5 V diesels; 23,400 hp; 1 shaft; bow thruster
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Merlin 42k MV Merlin (AK-323) moored pierside, date and place unknown. MSC web site
    Merlin 71k MV Merlin (AK-323) moored pierside at Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point, N.C., 8 April 2006 during renaming ceremony. MSC web site
    There is no DANFS history for MV American Merlin (AK-9302) / MV Merlin (AK-323) / MV TSgt. John A. Chapman (T-AK-323) at NavSource
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    Not Applicable to this vessel
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    No Information Available
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 12 May 2006