The USNS CITY OF BISMARCK (T-EPF-9) was rolled out of the hangar where she was assembled on Tuesday, June 6. She was assembled in a huge hangar from modules built in another construction hangar at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. She was moved to a dry dock where she will be floated today. This is a major milestone in the construction of the ship.
She was 91% percent complete for her christening which was held in the Austal USA shipyard hanger on Saturday, May 13, in Mobile, Alabama. Mayor Mike Seminary spoke at the christening and her sponsor, Former Congresswoman Jane Harman of California, did the honors with a flourish. The Bismarck delegation consisted of Mayor Mike Seminary, his wife Deb and their daughter Morgan, Commissioner Nancy Guy and her husband Greg Stites, and Bob Wefald, Chairman of the USNS City of Bismarck Committee, and his wife Susan.
The USNS CITY OF BISMARCK (T-EPF-9) will be owned by the U.S. Navy and operated by the Military Sealift Command through a civilian merchant marine crew of up to 24 people. No homeport has yet been assigned. She is expected to be turned over to the Navy later this year.