TS Empire State VI USTS " Empire State VI " ( T - AP - 1001 ) , callsign KKFW , IMO number 5264510 , is a troop ship of the United States Navy and training vessel of the United States Maritime Service . Construction and early years . The vessel known today as " Empire State VI " was originally built for States Steamship Company in Newport News , Virginia at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company as a MARAD Type C4 - S - 1u break bulk cargo freighter . She was delivered to the States Lines on 19 April 1962 as the SS " Oregon " , a name she kept until the vessel was purchased February 15 , 1977 by Moore McCormack Lines who renamed the vessel SS " Mormactide " . She went to United States Lines in 1983 when USL purchased MML . Although not the last private owner of the vessel , Moore McCormack Lines was the last company to operate the " Empire State " before being entered into government service , as USL only operated container ships . Government service . In 1986 the last private owner of the vessel , United States Lines , went bankrupt and turned over the " Mormactide " to the Federal Government ( MARAD ) . She was originally designated to be converted to an ammunition ship , the USNS " Cape Junction " ( T - AK - 507 ? ) . Meanwhile , the vessel was laid up in the James River , National Defense Reserve Fleet , Fort Eustis , Virginia . In 1988 the " Mormactide " was taken to Sturgeon Bay , Wisconsin , and underwent a conversion to a Training Ship at Bay Shipbuilding Corporation . After the conversion the " Mormactide " was renamed the " Empire State VI " . She was delivered to the State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler on New Year ' s Eve in 1989 to replace the slightly older " Empire State V " . In 1994 the " Empire State VI " was activated by MARAD to support the withdrawal of American troops from Mogadishu , Somalia . In the 2005 aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita which devastated the Gulf Coast , MARAD again activated the " Empire State VI " . The vessel provided housing and support for port workers and petroleum industry workers as they began repairs on strategic infrastructure and facilities in Louisiana . In November 2012 the " Empire State VI " was activated by the Department of Defense to provide housing and support for over 400 New York City / New Jersey area first responders and FEMA SCF Personnel after Hurricane Sandy impacted the region . " Empire State VI " is currently under the command of SUNY Maritime College alumnus Captain Richard S . Smith . Captain Smith is also the Commandant of Cadets at the Maritime College . With twenty years of service to the Maritime College , the ship holds the record as the longest serving power - driven vessel ever used by the school . She is expected to remain in use through at least 2014 . In the fall of 2012 , after Hurricane Sandy struck the New York - New Jersey area , the college offered the vessel to billet FEMA workers , from outside the region . The " New York Times " described conditions as " " spartan " " , with narrow bunks stacked three high , and limited access to electrical outlets and wifi . The " S . S . Wright " and the " T . S . Kennedy " were also used to house FEMA workers , and between them the three ships housed 1 , 200 workers .