The first high speed fleet support vessel to be directly owned and operated by  U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) was christened last Saturday in the traditional manner and named USNS Spearhead at the Austal builder’s yard in Mobile, Alabama, according to MSC news release. USNS Spearhead: Official US Government photgraph The Navy evaluated the usefulness of commercial high-speed ferries for logistical and personnel deployment for some ten years with the chartered fast catamarans Westpac Express and HSV-Swift according to an NDIA article online  ‘Commercial Ferries Paving Way for Joint High Speed Vessel’ before deciding to place orders with Austal USA for five Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV’s) of this type (with an option for five more); a choice enthusiastically endorsed by people who had served aboard them on military and humanitarian missions. An Austal High-speed Catamaran Ferry: Courtesy of Austal Inc. USA Capabilites of the USNS Spearhea... [More]