SS Cape Alava (AK-5012)

 military, ship, cargo, United States Navy

Built in 1962 as the SS African Comet for Farrell Lines, this ship plied the commercial trades for 19 years before being turned over to MARAD in 1981. Renamed Cape Alava, she entered the RRF (Ready Reserve Fleet) and was deployed several times over the next 20 years in support of US Forces and in exercises with the US Navy. Her last deployment came during the First Gulf War, when she and several of her sisters were activated to transport stores to and from the Persian Gulf in support of coalition forces.

Deactivated from the Ready Reserve Fleet in 2001 and placed into Category C Reserve, the Cape Alava saw little other use for the next twelve years aside from serving as a training for special forces training. Downgraded to disposal status in October of 2013, she is presently slated for scrapping.

www.marad.dot.gov/sh/ShipHistory/Detail/679
www.navsource.org/archives/09/13/135012.htm