NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The MV Roy P. Benavidez (T-AKR 306) is on its way to the Mediterranean Sea.
The large "roll-on, roll-off" ship operated by Military Sealife Command left Newport News on Thursday. It's carrying heavy equipment and materials needed to construct a temporary pier to support the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Much of the equipment is supplied by the U.S. Army.
“Really big floating dock, football field-size that moors up to the ship," Capt. James Murdock told 13News Now last week.
The Benavidez is crewed by contracted merchant mariners. It is expected to take about three weeks for the ship to arrive at its destination.
Ahead of the Benavidez, soldiers from Joint Base Langley-Eustis left for the Gaza coast last week. Much of what they’ll need to form the dock will be on board this ship.