James River Reserve Fleet

The Reserve Fleet ships in storage, called "mothballed", that can be ready for use if needed.

Ships can be readied for use in 20 to 120 days during national emergencies or natural disaster.

[1][2][3] The U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) provides oversight of the James River Reserve Fleet.

At the start of World War II all 300 ships in the fleet were put into service.

The current Reserve Fleet was opened in 1946 to store and maintains the many surplus ships after World War II.