After being placed in the Reserve Fleet 14 December 1964 the title was transferred to the United States Navy for use as a deep ocean bathymetric survey ship supporting installation of the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS).

Water Witch was built under Maritime Commission] contract for MC hull 1209 by the Moore Dry Dock Company of Oakland, California, yard number 296.

[5] The ship was completed 14 March 1945 and placed in service under Maritime Commission agreement with McCormick Steamship Company.

[1] On 10 October 1962 the title to American Flyer was surrendered to the Maritime Administration as trade in credit with the line operating the ship under a bareboat charter until delivery to the James River Reserve Fleet on 14 December 1964.

[1] The ship was acquired by the US Navy from the Maritime Administration (MARAD) in a permanent transfer and placed in service on 9 February 1965, with the name Flyer assigned on 22 March 1965.