Rescue and Salvage Ships T-ARS

Last updated: 13 Oct 2021

Point of Contact
Military Sealift Command
Public Affairs

471 East C St.
Norfolk, VA 23511-2419

(757) 443-2839

Description
Two rescue and salvage ships are operated by Military Sealift Command to render assistance to disabled ships, provide towing, salvage, diving, firefighting and heavy lift capabilities to the fleet.

Features
The mission of the rescue and salvage ships is four-fold: to debeach stranded vessels, heavy lift capability from ocean depths, towing of other vessels, and manned diving operations. For rescue missions, these ships are equipped with fire monitors forward and amidships which can deliver either firefighting foam or sea water. The salvage holds of these ships are outfitted with portable equipment to provide assistance to other vessels in dewatering, patching, supply of electrical power and other essential service required to return a disabled ship to an operating condition.

Background
The U.S. Navy has responsibility for salvaging U.S. government-owned ships and, when it is in the best interests of the United States, privately-owned vessels as well. The rugged construction of these steel-hulled ships, combined with speed and endurance, make these rescue and salvage ships well-suited for rescue/salvage operations of Navy and commercial shipping throughout the world. The versatility of this class of ship adds immeasurably to the capabilities of the U.S. Navy with regard to rendering assistance to those in peril on the high seas.

General Characteristics, Safeguard Class

Builder: Peterson Builders

Propulsion: 4 diesels, 2 shafts, 4,200 horsepower

Length: 255 feet (77.7 meters)

Beam: 51 feet (15.5 meters)

Displacement: 3,283 tons (2,978.2 metric tons) full load

Draft: 16 feet 9 inches (5.11 meters)

Speed: 14 knots (16.1 miles, 25.8 km, per hour)

Range: 8,000 miles (12,872 km) at 8 knots (14.8 km/hr.; 9.2 mph)

Depth: Diving Depth: 190 feet (57.9 meters), using air

Crew: 28 civilians, up to 35 mobile diving and salvage unit members

Load: Salvage capability: 7.5-ton capacity boom forward; 40-ton capacity boom aft. Heavy lift: Capable of a hauling force of 150 tons

Armament: (2) 25mm Mk 38 chain guns, (2) 12.7mm Browning heavy machine guns

Ships:

USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51) Operates in the area of Atlantic/Mediterranean

USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52) Operates in the area of Pacific

Point of Contact
Military Sealift Command
Public Affairs

471 East C St.
Norfolk, VA 23511-2419

(757) 443-2839

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