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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

SS Aide (AK-5006)

Cape A Class Breakbulk Cargo Ship:

Laid down, 22 May 1959, as SS Export Aide, a Maritime Administration type (C3-S-58a) hull, under Maritime Administration contract (MA 319) at National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, CA.

Launched, 4 June 1961

Delivered to the American Export Lines, 3 April 1961

Acquired by Farrell Lines from American Export - Isbrandsten Lines, in 1978

Acquired by the Maritime Administration from Farrell Lines, circa 1978 for lay up in the Maritime Administrations National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF), James River, Lee Hall, VA. in a retention status, named changed to SS Aide

Assigned to the US Navy Military Sealift Command (MSC) Ready Reserve Force (RRF), as AK-5006, 5 October 1979

Outported at Charleston, S.C. and later at Quonset Point, R.I.

SS Aide could be activated in 10 days

Activated for Desert Shield/Storm, 4 December 1990 to 31 December 1990

Reactivated for Desert Shield/Storm, 20 February 1991 to 22 February 1992

Assigned to the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, 11 November 1994

Outported at Alameda, CA. from 1992 to 1994

Downgraded from RRF retention status to non-retention status in 2001

Moved to the National Defense Reserve Fleet anchorage at Suisun Bay in 1995

Final Disposition, sold for scrapping in February 2012

Specifications:
Displacement 7,848 t.(lt), 10,986 t.(fl)
Length 492' 6"
Beam 73'
Draft 27' (max.)
Speed 18.5 kts.

Full Operating Status Complement

Civilian Mariners, 55

Reduced Operating Status 5 Maintainers

Propulsion

two General Electric steam turbines

two Babcock and Wilcox boilers

single propeller, 12,500shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
Merchant Service American Export Isbrandtsen Lines.
	87k	SS Export Aide under way in American Export Isbrandtsen Lines colors, date and location unknown.	Maritime Administration Photo
National Defense Reserve Fleet
	14k	*SS Aide* (AK-5006)** moored, date and location unknown.	Maritime Administration Photo
	200k	*SS Aide* (AK-5006)** moored in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA. in February 2009.	Maritime Administration Photo
	14k		Maritime Administration Photo
0913500605	115k	*SS Aide* (AK-5006) moored in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA., 24 July 2011. Inboard of Aide are a number of ships with only SS Agent (AK-5015)** identifiable. Photo taken by Earthpig (real name unknown)	Robert Hurst
0913500606	79k	*SS Aide* (AK-5006)** being towed out of out of the Susuin Bay National Defense Reserve Fleet, 8 March 2012. Image from JB Davis, Patch Staff. A Ship on the Strait: SS Aide \| Benicia, CA Patch	Robert Hurst

SS Aide (AK-5006) History
National Register Eligibility Assessment

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
MARAD Vessel Date Base

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 23 May 2025