UPDATE: Austal T-EPF in Senegal

The U.S. Navy has dispatched a second ship this year, USNS Carson City (T-EPF-7) a Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport vessel, to the Gulf of Guinea on West Africa's southern coast to help deal with coastal security and piracy. The Military Sealift Command transport ship, built and delivered from Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., departed Rota, Spain, on July 2, according to a Navy news release. The U.S. Coast Guard (CG) cutter Thetis was the first U.S. ship to deploy to the Gulf of Guinea in 2019. "The deployment … enables our partners to improve maritime security along their coastlines, territorial seas, and exclusive economic zones," said Adm. James G. Foggo III, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa. "When maritime trade freely sails across the seas, economic development and opportunities for prosperity are possible." The Gulf of Guinea is the world's most pirate-infested seas, according to the International Maritime Bureau. U.S. personnel will work alongside partner-nations in Cabo Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal. The Navy crew and European allies will provide host nation-requested, needs-based assistance through engagements as part of our enduring friendship and partnership. Among Carson City’s personnel include small boat maintenance and repair team, medical team, and CG Maritime Law Enforcement personnel. (Source: UPI 07/03/19) UPDATE: USNS Carson City arrived in Dakar, Senegal, on July 6, for the first port visit of its Africa Partnership Station (APS) deployment to the Gulf of Guinea. USNS Carson City (T-EPF-7) is the seventh Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport, currently in service with the Military Sealift Command. She was built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., and christened at the shipyard in mid-January 2016.