The SS Regulus (T-AKR 292) is an Algol-class vehicle cargo ship currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force (RRF). Originally built as a high-speed container ship by A.G. Weser in Bremen, West Germany, her hull number is 1383. She was initially named SS Sea-Land Commerce and designated with the USCG number 545200 and IMO 7302897. Designed for rapid trans-Pacific crossings, she was the first of her class to operate in Pacific Ocean trades. In 1973, she set notable speed records, completing a westbound crossing from Race Rocks Light to Osaka, Japan in just 5 days, 23 hours, and 30 minutes at an average speed of 30.32 knots. Later that year, she made an eastbound crossing from Yokohama to Long Beach in 6 days, 1 hour, and 27 minutes at an average speed of 33.27 knots, establishing undisputed records for Pacific crossings. Her high-speed capabilities showcased her as a pioneering vessel in maritime logistics. Due to high operational costs, she was sold to the U.S. Navy in 1981 and renamed USNS Regulus (T-AK-292). Her name reflects the tradition of naming Algol-class ships after bright stars, with Regulus being the brightest star in the constellation Leo. Conversion work began in 1984 at National Steel and Shipbuilding in San Diego, transforming her cargo hold into multiple decks connected by ramps for rapid vehicle loading and unloading. She was also fitted with two sets of cranes—one midship capable of lifting 35 tons, and one aft capable of lifting 50 tons. She was delivered to the Military Sealift Command in 1985. The vessel's operational role included participation in the 1990 Persian Gulf War, during which she and her sister ships transported a significant portion of cargo between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. While in reduced status due to high costs, she remains capable of activation within 96 hours. Transfers in 2007 and 2008 shifted her to the Maritime Administration and the Ready Reserve Force, where she is currently based at the Beaumont Reserve Fleet in ROS-120 status, ready to deploy if activated to support U.S. military logistics.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.