Fleet oilers operate as a unit of an underway replenishment group, replenishing petroleum products and ordnance to the fleet at sea during underway replenishments (UNREPS). The oilers transport bulk petroleum and lubricants from depots to the ships of the battle group. The ships also transport and deliver limited Fleet Freight, mail and personnel to combatants and support units underway. The ships are
simultaneously capable of providing three double-probe fuel rigs to port, and two single-probe fuel rigs to starboard, delivering a maximum of 900,000 gallons-per-hour of diesel fuel marine.
The number of Navy-manned fleet oilers has decreased as more and more Military Sealift Command ships, manned by a civilian crew and commanded by a civilian master, have assumed responsibilities for supplying deployed ships.
The ship's fully automated two-boiler steam propulsion plant propel them at sustained speed of 20 knots while carrying a load of 150,000 barrels of fuel and 625 tons of ordnance. Liquid cargo transfer is provided by STREAM (Standard Tensioned Replenishment Alongside Method) double-hose stations located on the port and starboard sides. For receiving fuel, there are double receivers on the port and starboard sides. Fuel delivery is controlled by the Ship's Automated Liquid Cargo Control System. There is one replenishment station located on each side to provide the capability to transfer cargo, Fleet freight and personnel. Both replenishment stations have a cargo boom for ship-to-shore transfer of supplies while the ship is in port. In addition, the ship has a flight deck aft for receiving and sending freight and passengers by helicopter.
WILLAMETTE is the first ship of the class to be protected by two MK 15 Phalanx Weapon Systems. Extensive damage control equipment and systems ensure rapid response to control any type of emergency. On September 27, 1991, WILLAMETTE was the second ship of the CIMARRON class to complete jumboization. A 108 foot midbody section was added to the center of the ship. This midbody increased fuel capacity by 30,000 barrels and added an ordnance cargo capability of 625 tons. The midbody also features an additional emergency diesel generator and two standard tensioned replenishment alongside method (STREAM) cargo stations. Ballast and cargo transfer systems are fully automated and designed to effect safe and efficient transfer of bulk petroleum cargo. Habitability has been improved over previous designs, and labor-saving devices have been incorporated to promote a reduced manning plan.Specifications | ||
| Builders: | Avondale Shipyards | |
| Power Plant: |
2 - 600psi Boilers (Automated Steam) 24,000 Shaft Horsepower via a Single Shaft and Propeller | |
| ORIGINAL | JUMBOIZED | |
| LENGTH | 591 Feet 6 Inches | Overall Length: 700 ft Waterline Length: 661 ft |
| BEAM | 88 Feet | Extreme Beam: 88 ft Waterline Beam: 86 ft |
| DRAFT | 31 Feet 4 Inches | Maximum Navigational Draft: 32 ft Draft Limit: 35 ft |
| DISPLACEMENT | 26,000 Long Tons | Light Displacement: 11645 tons Full Displacement: 36977 tons Dead Weight: 25332 tons |
| SPEED | 20 Knots | 19 Knots |
| Cargo capacity [JUMBO] |
CAPACITY - FUEL: Cargo Oil - 75,000 Barrels JP-5 - 45,000 Barrels Convertible - 30,000 Barrels (for a Total of 150,000 Barrels) CAPACITY - ORDNANCE: 625 TONS CAPACITY - PROVISIONS: Dry Fleet Freight - 360 Tons Reefer - 60 Tons Lube Oil 125 55-Gallons Drums Bottled Gas - 584 Cylinders ISO Containers - 21 | |
| Armament |
2 - Phalanx close-in weapons systems 2 - 25MM MK 38 Machine Guns 4 .50-Caliber Machines Guns | |
| Unit Operating Cost Annual Average | ~$16,000,000 [source: [FY1996 VAMOSC] | |
Ships | ||||||
| Name | Number | Builder | Homeport | Ordered | Commissioned | Decommissioned |
| Cimarron | AO-177 | Avondale | Pearl Harbor | 09 Aug 1976 | 10 Jan 1981 | 15 Dec 1998 |
| Monongahela | AO-178 | Avondale | Norfolk | 09 Aug 1976 | 05 Sep 1981 | |
| Merrimack | AO-179 | Avondale | Norfolk | 25 Jan 1977 | 14 Nov 1981 | 18 Dec 1998 |
| Willamette | AO-180 | Avondale | Pearl Harbor | 11 Apr 1978 | 18 Dec 1982 | |
| Platte | AO-186 | Avondale | Norfolk | 11 Apr 1978 | 16 Apr 1983 | |
NOTES: AO 182 - AO 185 are Falcon-class transport tankers AO 181 is the USNS T-AOT Potomac | ||||||
