“The ship delivers ammunition, provisions, spare parts, potable water and petroleum products to US Navy and other navy ships at sea, allowing them to remain underway and combat ready for extended periods of time.[3]”
This ship would pull into port only long enough to restock, and then go back to sea to support the fleet.
No time for appearance centered maintenance. It had a very, very important job to do.
"Potable water"? Every USN ship I've served on had their own desalinization systems (75-86). Also, Ive seen and involved in many un-rep procedures and they were always USN Supply or Oiler ships. I never saw a USNR ship for our un-rep. I vividly remember the huge turbulence between both USN designated ships. I also remember either my ship's helo or the supply ship's helo bringing us our mail. No internet at the time. Mail call was a highlight of sea duty then.
Seems I'm becoming one of those "old salts" if I'm so outta date, and apparently I am.