USNS Paul Buck

USNS Paul Buck (T-AOT-1122), a transport oiler ship, was originally constructed in 1985 by American Ship Building Company, Tampa, Florida for Ocean Product Tankers of Houston for a long term charter to the United States Navy and operated by Military Sealift Command. The ship was delivered on 7 July 1985. It is a T-5 Tanker. The ship was named after Merchant Marine Paul Buck, who was awarded the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal. On the morning of February 2, 2024 it was observed being towed through the Brazos Santiago Pass at South Padre Island, presumably for recycling at the Brownsville shipyards.

Antarctic missions


Paul Buck made frequent deliveries of fuel to the Antarctic for resupply. This was the most common route that this ship made delivering a variety of fuel types to the base, always escorted by an ice breaker.

In 2010 the vessel was replaced by Empire State and Paul Buck was taken out of service and transferred to the Maritime Commission's National Defense Reserve Fleet. The vessel was laid up in "Interim Hold" as of April 2020.