USNS Comet (T-AK-269), later T-LSV-7, later T-AKR-7, later SS Comet, is a vehicle landing ship originally built for the U.S. Navy. The lone ship of its class, it was built at Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company of Chester, Pennsylvania and was delivered in January 1958. The Comet is considered to be the first oceangoing “Roll On/Roll Off” vessel.
The Comet, has a stern ramp as well as interior ramps, which allowed vehicles to drive directly from the dock, onto the ship, and into place. The Comet also has an adjustable chocking system for locking vehicles onto the decks and a ventilation system to remove exhaust gases that accumulate during vehicle loading.
The Comet operated as part of the common user fleet of the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), later Military Sealift Command (MSC).
In 2014, the Maritime Administration submitted a docket for disposing of the ship from the National Defense Reserve Fleet.
| Launched | July 31, 1957 |
| Builder | Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co |
| Length | 499’ |
| Beam | 78’ |
| Designed Operating Draft | 22’ |
| Displacement ( (Full Load) | 16,489 LongTons |
| Gross Registered Tonnage | 13,790 |
| Propulsion | Steam Turbines |
| Maximum Continuous Shaft Horsepower |
13,200 |
| Normal Shaft Horsepower | 12,000 |
| Service Speed | 18 Knots |
| Cruising Radius at 18 knots | 13,000 Miles |