Auxiliary Personnel Lighter

The Auxiliary Personnel Lighter program, managed by the Navy, focuses on developing and procuring barracks craft to support sailors during port availabilities and inter-deployment training cycles. These vessels are equipped to accommodate up to 600 personnel for berthing and provide messing facilities for up to 1,130 individuals. The primary objective is to ensure that sailors have access to comprehensive living and operational facilities while their ships undergo maintenance or training.

The program aims to deliver a range of amenities within the Auxiliary Personnel Lighters, including classrooms, conference rooms, administrative offices, and various recreational and essential services such as a galley, mess, post office, convenience store, barbershop, lounges, laundry facilities, and a physical fitness center. These crafts are designed with dual-gender use in mind, offering berthing and sanitary facilities that cater to all personnel. This initiative underscores the Navy's commitment to maintaining high standards of living conditions for its service members.

Production of these vessels involves collaboration with shipbuilders such as Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding LLC. The timeline for construction from contract award to delivery spans approximately 28 to 38 months. The program's schedule outlines specific milestones for each vessel's construction start and delivery dates, ensuring timely completion and readiness for service.

The Auxiliary Personnel Lighter program is an integral part of the Navy's strategy to enhance operational readiness by providing essential support infrastructure for its personnel. By investing in these specialized crafts, the Navy seeks to improve the quality of life for sailors during critical periods of ship maintenance and training activities.