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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

SS Cape Alava (AK-5012)

Cape A Class Breakbulk Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down in 1962 as SS African Comet a Maritime Administration type (C4-S-58a) hull under Maritime Administration contract (MA 103) at Ingalls Shipbuilding Co., Pascagoula, MS.
  • Launched in 1962
  • Delivered to Farrell Lines, 22 August 1962
  • Title transfer, 17 December 1979, to the Maritime Administration Trade-in and Build Program
  • Bare-bottom charter by Farrell Lines, 17 December 1979
  • Returned to the MARAD, 11 April 1980, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River Group, Lee Hall, VA.
  • Named changed to SS Comet, 4 August 1980
  • Renamed, SS Cape Alava, 30 December 1980, assigned to the MARAD Ready Reserve Force, designated (AK-5012)
  • When activated SS Cape Alava (AK-5012) was assigned to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) as one of the Military Sealift Command's Modular Cargo Delivery System Ready Reserve Force )RRF) Ships
  • SS Cape Alava (AK-5012) could be activated in 30 days
  • Downgraded from RRF, 1 October 2001, and laid up in the Maritime Administrations (MARAD) National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Fort Eustis, VA.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 7,380 t.(lt), 21,110 t.(fl)
    Length 575'
    Beam 75'
    Draft 30' (max.)
    Speed 18.3 kts.
    Full Operating Status Complement (unknown) Civilian Mariners
    Propulsion steam turbine, two boilers, single propeller, 16,500shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Cape Alava 83k SS Cape Alava (AK-5012) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Maritime Administration photo.    		 Maritime Administration RRF web site
    MARAD James River Group Reserve Fleet
    Cape Archway 94k From left to right; SS Cape Archway, SS Cape Avinoff and SS Cape Alva laid up in the Maritime Administration's James River Reserve Fleet, 8 April 2009. Photo by Mike Hibbard
    Cape Alva
    0913501202    		 95k SS Cape Alva laid up in the Maritime Administration's James River Reserve Fleet, 8 April 2009.
    0913501202 - Starboard stern quarter view
    0913501203 - Starboard quarter view
    0913501204 - Midships detail
    0913501205 - Tricolor MARAD RRF stack markings
    0913501206 - Forward starboard quarter    		 Photos by Mike Hibbard
    Cape Alva
    0913501203    		 97k
    Cape Alva
    0913501204    		 85k
    Cape Alva
    0913501205    		 81k
    Cape Alva
    0913501206    		 87k
    There is no DANFS history available for Cape Alava (T-AK-5012) at NavSource
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    Not Applicable
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    No Information Available
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 3 July 2009