M/V Bernard Fisher contracted for prepositioning of Air Force supplies

Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Sealift has been tapped by the U.S. Navy for a $8.9 million contract modification for transportation and preposition of cargo for use by the U.S. Air force.

The award, announced Friday by the Department of Defense, secures the U.S. flagged vessel M/V Bernard Fisher for the shipping of both hazardous and general cargoes, ranging from ammunition and explosives to vehicles and containers.

Working capital funds in the amount of $8.9 are obligated at the time of award, with the award having been competitively bid among more then ten small businesses through the Federal Business Opportunities website.

The new award is "option two" on the contract, according to the Pentagon, with the cumulative value of the contract, if all other options are taken, holding a potential value of $58.2 million.

The M/V Bernard Fisher is a civilian owned and operated cargo ship named after Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Bernard F. Fisher that is part of Military Sealift Command. It is used for the prepositioning of supplies and other materials as part of the MSC Prepositioning Program for forward deploying forces across the world and is attached to Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Three.

The Fisher displaces 48,000 tons, has a top speed of 19 knots and carries a civilian crew of 24. It was completed in 1985 as the M/V Sea Fox but was renamed the M/V Maj. Bernard F. Fisher in 1999.