Shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO, San Diego, on Friday hosted a keel-laying ceremony for the future USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg (T-AO 212).
The ship's sponsor, Jane Ginsburg, daughter of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, welded her initials onto a steel plate during the ceremony. The plate will be permanently affixed to the ship's hull and remain with the vessel throughout its service life.
The ship is named after Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who served on the U.S. Supreme Court for 27 years.
"This keel laying marks the first of many significant milestones for this ship, and we are excited to bring this vessel to the fleet," said John Lighthammer, program manager, Auxiliary and Special Mission Shipbuilding Program Office.
T-AO 212 is the eighth in a series of John Lewis-class replenishment oilers built for the Navy's Combat Logistics Force. Operated by Military Sealift Command, the ships enable Navy warships to remain at sea for extended periods by providing fuel, supplies, and provisions necessary to sustain global missions.
The 746'x106'5" vessels are engineered to carry up to 162,000 barrels of diesel ship fuel, jet fuel, and other cargo.
