Navy accepts EPF 8 from Austal

MOBILE, Ala. - The Navy accepted delivery of its eighth Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel, USNS Yuma (EPF 8), in a ceremony April 21 at Alabama shipbuilder Austal USA. EPFs are shallow draft, all aluminum, commercial-based catamarans capable of intra-theater personnel and cargo transport, which provide combatant commanders high-speed sealift mobility. USNS Yuma was constructed by Austal USA, which is currently under contract for the construction of four additional EPFs. A christening ceremony is scheduled for the City of Bismarck (EPF 9) in May with a keel laying ceremony planned for Burlington (EPF 10) this summer. EPFs 11 and 12 were awarded in September 2016, and are currently in the early stages of production. (Source: US Navy 04/21/17)