Austal's T-EPF heads NY Fleet Week

BRONX, N.Y. - The Military Sealift Command's newest expeditionary fast transport ship, USNS City of Bismarck (T-EPF 9), hosted 2,550 visitors during Fleet Week New York from May 23-28 here at State University New York Maritime College. The Gulf Coast-built T-EPF left Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story Little Creek, Va., to participate in the week-long celebration with 13 other ships. Fleet Week New York is the city's time-honored celebration of the sea services, and an opportunity for regional citizens to meet sailors and witness first-hand the latest capabilities of current maritime services. The MSC accepted delivery of USNS City of Bismarck in December 2017 from Austal USA shipyards in Mobile, Ala., and has spent the last six months involved in sea trials and Final Contract Trials (FCTs) to get the ship ready for its first mission later this year. For some crewmembers, Fleet Week New York was the icing on the cake following the FCTs. "We received a 9.4 which is the highest amongst all EPF's," said Anthony Hayes, Second Engineer aboard Bismarck, but coming to NY Fleet Week was worth it to see “kids' faces, the parents, teachers, and police officers (that support) us for the job that we do … was very refreshing." (Source: MSC 06/04/18)