The ship carried four types of boats. Each was a modeling project in itself. The complement changed over time, from nine boats in the early 1960s to just five boats by the 1970s. The number was decreased to reduce topside weight. The original large two tiered boat davits port and starboard each carried a 26 foot motor whale boat and a 28 foot personnel boat. These large davits were eliminated on the Oklahoma City to reduce topside weight. A smaller double arm trackway boat davit was installed on the port side for launching the motor whale boat. Two 40 foot Utility Boats were eliminated from the boat nests, one each port and starboard. Only the 40 foot Personnel Boat remained to starboard. On the port boat deck a 28 foot Personnel Boat was nested above a 40 foot Utility Boat. The second 28 foot Personnel Boat was carried on a portable boat cradle on top of the missile house.

Over time the boats were replaced with newer versions. The Mark numbers shown here are what were aboard in 1971.

Mk 4 40 Foot Personnel Boat

The largest boat was the 40 foot Personnel Boat. It was used to ferry personnel between the ship and shore during inclement weather. It was stowed on the starboard boat deck just aft of the motor whaleboat.

Mk 2 40 Foot Utility Boat

The 40 foot Utility Boat was most often used to ferry liberty parties between ship and shore. The middle benches could be folded and moved aside to allow the boat to be used for hauling cargo. It was sometimes used to transfer furniture and other personal effects purchased in liberty ports back to the ship. It was stowed on the port boat deck, with the 28 foot personnel boat nested above it.

Mk 10 26 Foot Motor Whale Boat

The motor whale boat was the general purpose boat that got the most use. It was used to transfer personnel and materials between ships and shore. It was the primary means for recovery of men overboard and small objects in the water.

The boat was stored on gravity davits on the starboard side amidships (left). To launch the boat the first step was to lower the boat support under the boat and remove the cables that prevent the boat from swinging as the ship rolls (center). Then the latches were released and the support arms rolled down the trackway and swung the boat over the side (right). The boat was then lowered to the water with the motor whaleboat winch.

28 Foot Personnel Boat

The ship carried two 28 foot personnel boats (Mk 6?). I have not found drawings for these boats, and I do not have enough photos to produce a reasonably accurate model. Maybe someday!