Thursday, August 13, 2015

Crowley Awarded Vessel Management Contract

By Mark Edward Nero

Crowley Maritime Corp.’s global ship management group has been awarded a technical management contract with the U.S. government for six Military Sealift Command (MSC) Maritime Prepositioning Ships (MPS).

The Crowley contract covers five of MSC’s 14 Bobo Class ships: the M/V 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo, M/V Pfc. Dewayne T. Williams, M/V 1st Lt. Jack Lummus, M/C Sgt. William R. Button and M/V 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez – plus the USNS Gunnery Sgt. Fred W. Stockham.

Vessels in the Bobo Class are named after recipients of America’s highest military recognition, the Medal of Honor.

The ships are used to pre-position US Marine Corps vehicles, equipment and ammunition throughout the world. Pre-positioned ships in each squadron have sufficient equipment, supplies and ammunition to support about 17,000 personnel for 30 days, and are self-sustaining with cranes that enable them to unload their own cargo.

Services provided by Crowley include full turnkey operation and management of the fleet, including crewing and scheduled and unscheduled repair and dry-docking. The turnover phase is expected to begin in late September.

“Crowley is honored to have been selected,” said Crowley’s Mike Golonka, the company’s vice president of government services. “This contract is a perfect fit for Crowley.”

The Bobo Class is named in recognition of USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo, a Vietnam War hero who was killed while saving the lives of his fellow marines during an ambush in 1966. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.