USNS_Altair_(T-AK-291)
SS Altair (T-AKR 291) is an Algol class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force (RRF). She was built as a high speed container ship by Rheinstahl Nordseewerke in Emden, West Germany, hull no. 431, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land Finance, USCG ON 550722, IMO 7315571.[1][2] Due to her high operating cost, she was sold to the United States Navy on 5 January 1982 as USNS Altair (T-AK-291).[3]
In keeping with the pattern of the naming the Algol-class ships after bright stars, the Altair was named after Altair, the brightest star in the constellation Aquila and the twelfth brightest star in the night sky.