USNS Richard G. Matthiesen

History
United States
Namesake	Richard G. Matthiesen
Owner	Maritime Administration
Operator	Military Sealift Command
Builder	American Ship Building Company, Tampa, Florida
Acquired	February 18 1986
In service	February 18 1986
Out of service	March 31 2011
Stricken	March 31 2011
Identification	IMO number: 8310102; MMSI number: 368719000; Callsign: NBBP;
Honors and; awards	National Defense Service Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal; Kuwait Liberation Medal;
Fate	Transferred to the Maritime Administration
General characteristics
Type	Type 5 Oil tanker
Tonnage	21,471 tons GT; 33,095 DWT;
Length	617 ft 2 in (188 m)
Beam	91 ft 6 in (28 m)
Draft	28 ft 4 in (9 m)
Propulsion	1 Sulzer 5RTA 76 diesel; 18,400 hp sustained; 1 shaft
Speed	33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph)
Capacity	237,766 barrels of oil fuel
Complement	24 civilians, 18 civilians (reduced operating status)
Armament	None
Aviation facilities	Landing pad

USNS Richard G. Matthiesen (T-AOT-1124) was one of four tankers, known as T5s, with double hulls ice-strengthened for protection against damage during missions in extreme climates. She was part of Military Sealift Command's Sealift Program, transporting fuel for the Department of Defense. Richard G. Matthiesen had missions including refueling the National Science Foundation in Antarctica and Thule Air Base in Greenland. She was named after Richard G Matthiesen, a Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal recipient.

Richard G. Matthiesen went out of service on March 31 2011 and transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal.

References[edit]

This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.
Article about delivery of fuel to Antarctica
Richard G. Matthiesen citation