Austal delivers EPF 11 to Navy

MOBILE, Ala. - The Navy took delivery of its 11th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel, the future USNS Puerto Rico (T-EPF 11), from Austal USA here on Dec. 10. Delivery is the official transfer from the shipbuilder to the Navy. EPF 11 will be owned and operated by the Military Sealift Command. "We are excited to accept delivery of another versatile ship, further expanding the advantage of our civilian mariners at sea," said Capt. Scot Searles, Strategic and Theater Sealift program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. "Delivery of our 11th ship is a testament to the inherent flexibility of the EPF class. EPFs are shallow-draft, all-aluminum catamarans capable of delivering personnel and cargo, which provides combatant commanders high-speed sealift mobility. EPFs capable of interfacing with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities, and on/off-loading a combat-loaded Abrams Main Battle Tank. EPFs include a flight deck to support day and night aircraft launch and recovery operations, and seating for 312 embarked forces, with fixed berthing for 104. Austal USA is currently in production on the future USNS Newport (EPF 12) and USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13), and is under contract to build the future USNS Cody (EPF 14). (Source: PEO Ships 12/10/19)