At that time Global Marine Development won a contract from the Department of Energy to build a research vessel for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion. They chose the USNS Chepachet because her electric drive could be used to run the pumps and equipment necessary for the project. When repairs and modifications were completed she was renamed the "SS Ocean Energy Converter" and dedicated in Hawaii on July 5, 1980. She had a successful deployment ending in April 1981, but due to funding cuts she was unable to be deployed again. In February 1982 she was transferred to the state of Hawaii to be sold for scrap with the proceeds and useful equipment going to an onshore OTEC research facility.