General Dynamics NASSCO celebrated the christening and launch of the fifth vessel in the U.S. Navy’s fleet oiler program at its San Diego shipyard, the company said Sept. 21.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, NASSCO President Dave Carver and co-sponsors Alicia L. Aadnesen and Deborah D. Simmons were all present for the celebration of the USNS Lucy Stone, named after the American suffragist who founded the Women’s National Loyal League.
The Lucy Stone is the latest in a series of fleet replenishment oilers being designed and built by General Dynamics NASSCO. The 742-foot-long ships are able to move fuel to naval carrier strike group vessels at sea, with each vessel capable of moving at up to 20 knots of speed and carrying 157,000 barrels of oil.
“What we christen today is not just a ship,” Carver said. “The USNS Lucy Stone is the embodiment of American unity and purpose – a beacon of freedom that will carry Lucy Stone’s legacy and the legacy of America all over the world.”
NASSCO has delivered the USNS John Lewis, the USNS Harvey Milk, and the USNS Earl Warren. The USNS Robert F. Kennedy is expected to undergo sea trials soon, while the future USNS Sojourner Truth and Thurgood Marshall are under construction.
More vessels are anticipated as the company recently secured a new contract with the U.S. Navy to build as many as eight more in the fleet, making the fleet oiler program “the longest Navy production series in NASSCO history,” the company said.
