Members of American Maritime Officers were praised by shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO and Military Sealift Command after completing sea trials for the new vessel, USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206).
The ship is the second of the Navy’s John Lewis- class fleet oiler program, following the series’ lead vessel, USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205), delivered in July 2022. The 742-foot-long vessels are designed to transfer fuel to U.S. Navy carrier strike group ships operating at sea. They have capacity to carry 157,000 barrels of oil, a significant dry cargo capacity, aviation capability and are capable of speeds up to 20 knots.
AMO officers complemented by an unlicensed crew provided by Seafarers International Union completed sea trials on the vessel in May.
“NASSCO was very impressed with the performance of the AMO and SIU crew,” said Captain Doug Voss, who spearheaded the sea trial.
Other AMO members aboard the USNS Harvey Milk included Chief Mate Alex Showell, Second Mate Ross Lory and Third Mate Greg Andrews.
The vessel is named in honor of gay rights activist Harvey Milk, who served in the Navy during the Korean War and later became the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California.