I notice that there is a very large Car Carrier in Norfolk Drydock getting painted white to grey.
Looks like they are converting commercial vessels to military use.
I can't imagine how they handle in big winds. A giant sail like surface.
Flickertail State Crane Ship was recently out doing testing. It is old but capable.
Gaza Pier help was a bust. Those piers are not meant to be installed long term. We looked like clowns. Not Omaha Beach.
The US Navy would likely do the same, the biggest issue could be retaining enough crew.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falklands_War_order_of_battle:...
It doesn't help that when the U.S. Merchant Marine was made a part of the U.S. Navy during World War 2, the U.S.M.M. mariners were entitled to Vetern Status and benefits, but the U.S. Navy denied them that. Some mariners were able to get it, but they had to fight for it.
The U.S.M.M. had the highest casualty rate out of all of the services during World War 2: 4% - double that of the next highest - the U.S. Marines with 2%.