CAPE ALAVA (AK-5012)

Cape Alava at sea. Date and location unknown. MARAD photo.

Year Built

1962

Official Number

289281

Shipyard

Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation

General Type

Naval Auxiliary

Specific Type

AK Cargo Ship

MARAD Type

C4-S-58a

Ship Length

571.90 feet

Beam

75.00 feet

Mast Height

136.40 feet

Net Tons

6810.00 tons

Gross Tons

11310.00 tons

Cargo Capacity

Draft, Summer

30.58 tons

Draft, Lightweight

13.00 tons

Displacement, Summer

20110.00 tons

Displacement, Lightweight

7300.00 tons

Immersion, Summer

68.00 tons

Immersion, Lightweight

54.00 tons

Fate

Unknown

Historical Narrative

The Maritime Administration's National Register Eligibility Assessment for Cape Alava, available in the Documents section, contains a detailed history of the vessel.

Vessel Name History
1962 - 1980: African Comet
1980 - present: Cape Alava

Vessel Name History

AFRICAN COMET

CAPE ALAVA (AK-5012)

Mission

Mission Name
Operations Desert Shield/Storm/Sortie

Historical Documents

Name	Download

Milestones

Event	Date	Content
Acquisition	12/17/1979
Ship Name Change	4/11/1980	Ship AFRICAN COMET changes name to CAPE ALAVA
Entry	4/11/1980
Activation	11/20/1990	Activated to provide logistical support for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm
Arrival	1/1/1992	Arrived in Charleston South Caorlina
Interim Movement	9/24/1997	No-notice activation to NORSHIPCO
Interim Movement	9/24/1997	At NORSHIPCO under S/Y control
Interim Movement	9/30/1997	Conducting sea trial
Interim Movement	10/2/1997	Completed sea trial
Interim Movement	11/6/1997	ENRTE: JRRF
Interim Movement	11/6/1997
Interim Movement	7/11/2003	Under tow to Moon Enginerring to de-fuel
Interim Movement	7/11/2003	In for defueling
Interim Movement	7/24/2003	ENRTE: Under tow to JRRF
Interim Movement	7/24/2003	Completed de-fueling
	1/7/2009	Vessel cleared NHPA processing.
Status	9/30/2013	Vessel status changed to non-retention in accordance with FY13 Downgrade Plan.
Disposal	10/31/2013	Stripping complete.