By Jesse Leon Guerrero, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas Public Affairs
SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- The Navy and Guam said goodbye to SS Petersburg (T AOT-9101) as the tanker left Delta/Echo pier on U.S. Naval Base Guam Nov. 10.
The ship served 10 years on island and is now headed to California after it discharges its cargo in Hawaii.
The island will soon welcome its replacement, MV VADM K. R. Wheeler (T-AG 5001). Wheeler, a new Military Sealift Command-chartered ship that distributes rather than discharges fuel, pumps 500,000 gallons more fuel per day and can operate in more difficult environments.
Originally built in 1963, the 736-foot 48-ton Petersburg is one in a fleet of five tankers fitted with a offshore petroleum discharge system.
It has helped support the Navy's mission in the Pacific region since November 1998, and is now only one of two of the original five tankers still in service.
"It's kind of sad," said Capt. William Bartlett. "It's been a good ship and a good job for us, but we understand it's a 45-year-old ship."
With its crew of 35, Petersburg has participated in various operations involving Navy commands such as Commander, Submarine Squadron 15, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5, Naval Special Warfare Unit 1, and various Seabee battalions.
"In every exercise or training that we did, Petersburg was part of it," said Capt. Ulysses O. Zalamea, commander of Maritime Prepositioning Ships (MPS) Squadron 3. "That's something we really appreciate."
