Abstract: A container carrier vessel has a wide, short bow section, a wide and shorter stern section, and an elongated intermediate multi-mode cargo container carrier section extending between the bow section and the stern section. An inverted U-shaped central section divides the long intermediate cargo section and supports a deck for mounting of a track and crane to handle casual cargo loading and unloading. The U-shaped section has a tunnel space for carrying communications between the bow and stern sections, and has provision for mounting a personnel mover. The stern section has a retractable pilot house mounted atop a telescoping mast for maintaining high elevation viewing of surrounding conditions and retracting to avoid overhead obstructions such as bridges. The vessel has a welded steel plate fore and welded side bulkheads and stern bulkheads, and sloped prow.