MV Cape Texas (T-AKR-112)

MV Cape Texas (T-AKR-112} is a Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) ship with the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) of the United States Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD)., her homeport is the Port of Houston in Houston, Texas and she is on ROS-5 status; she is able to be fully operational within 5 days of being activated. When activated, she becomes part of the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC).

Design and Construction


The vessel now known as Cape Texas was laid down by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft in Kiel, Germany. She is a conventional RO/RO (Vehicle Carrier) ship with the superstructure aft, followed by twin funnels, and a stern ramp. She is 634 ft in overall length with a lightweight displacement of 9687 LT and a fully loaded displacement of 24555 LT. For carrying US Army and Marine Corp combat vehicles, she has 88136 sqft of cargo capacity. She can carry 340 containers plus vehicles and her hull is ice strengthened.

Commercial Service
She was launched on 16 June 1977 and began service with DDG Hansa Line as MV Reichenfels. In 1981, the vessel was sold to Lykes Lines who operated her as MV Lyra.

US Government Service
Cape Texas was purchased by the US Government in 1992 and acquired on 21 January 1993. She initially operated in MSC service as the USNS Lyra. On 19 August 1994, she was transferred to MARAD and became part of the Ready Reserve Fleet.

On 23 January 2003, Cape Texas was activated and placed “In Service” from the Ready Reserve Force to haul military cargo to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She proceeded to Corpus Christi, Texas to load military vehicles and equipment. On 2 May 2003, she was placed "Out of Service” and returned to her Ready Reserve Force lay berth in Houston on a four-day recall status.

On 26 December 2004, she was again activated to MSC in continued support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was returned to the Ready Reserve Force on 7 April 2005 and returned to Houston.

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