The USNS Patuxent (T-AO-201) is a Henry J. Kaiser-class underway replenishment oiler operated by the Military Sealift Command to support the United States Navy. Laid down on October 16, 1991, at Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans, Louisiana, and launched on July 23, 1994, she represents the fifteenth vessel in her class. Notably, she was among the first three ships in the class to be built with a double hull, mandated by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which reduces her liquid cargo capacity by approximately 21,000 barrels compared to single-hull counterparts. Patuxent entered service on June 21, 1995, with a primarily civilian crew and operates within the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Her design features an overall length of 206.5 meters (677 feet 6 inches), a beam of 29.7 meters (97 feet 5 inches), and a draft of 11 meters (36 feet 1 inch). She displaces approximately 41,353 tonnes at full load and has a cargo capacity of 180,000 imperial barrels of aviation fuel or fuel oil. Additionally, she can carry a dry load of 690 square meters and refrigerate 128 pallets of food. Power is supplied by two 10 PC4.2 V 570 Colt-Pielstick diesel engines driving two shafts, producing 25.6 megawatts (around 34,800 horsepower), enabling maximum speeds of 20 knots. The ship is equipped with five fueling stations capable of simultaneously refueling two ships, pumping up to 900,000 gallons of diesel or 540,000 gallons of jet fuel per hour. While lacking armaments, the Patuxent features a helicopter platform and is capable of supporting air operations, though she does not have maintenance facilities. Her crew consists of approximately 89 civilians—including 19 officers—along with 29 spare personnel and six U.S. Navy personnel. As a vital logistical asset, the USNS Patuxent plays a crucial role in extending the operational reach of the U.S. Navy through efficient underway replenishment missions at sea.

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