The US Navy’s newest berthing barge, Auxiliary Personnel Lighter (APL) 67 sailed away from VT Halter Marine’s shipyard this week en route to Naval Base San Diego.
APL 67 will eventually be delivered to Yokosuka, Japan.
The new berthing barges being built for the navy by VT Halter Marine are 82 meter long and can berth up to 611 people – 74 officers and 537 enlisted personnel. Mess seating is available for 224 enlisted personnel and 28 officers in 20-minute intervals, allowing food service for 1,130 personnel to have three meals a day.
APLs are equipped with offices, classrooms, washrooms, laundry facilities, a medical treatment facility, a barber shop and a fitness center.
“The modern APLs make the lives of our sailors easier while their ships are in port for maintenance or training events.” John Lighthammer, acting program manager, Support Ships, Boats and Craft, Program Executive Office Ships. “We look forward to continuing to get these vessels delivered to the fleet to provide support while our Sailors focus on mission.”
The shipbuilder is currently also working on APL 68 and three other barges.
The US Navy has so far placed contracts for five of the planned six vessels in the class.
