Back in the day, the Navy ran its own salvage ships (ATS), salvage rescue ships (ARS), submarine rescue ships (ASR), and fleet tugs (ATF), amassing a giant fleet of such hard-working niche auxiliaries in the 1940s. However, in the general rush to save dollars after the end of the Cold War, the Navy transferred all the above to the civilian mariner-manned Military Sealift Command, thus removing any armament and converting them from commissioned ships on the NVR to cheaper-to-run non-commissioned naval ships, i.e., the USS Safeguard (ARS-50) became USNS Safeguard (T-ARS-50). Still haze gray, still underway, just with civilian crews on contract to MSC. Plus, it was thought the U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage could fly out equipment to commercial vessels as needed, because that is a valid line of thinking when the bullets start flying.
Of course, we’re not getting into the risk to civilian mariners manning such vessels in time of war, but nonetheless, the Navy has slowly allowed even this aging salvage, rescue, and tug force to wither away. Today, the MSC only has 14 of these Service Support (PM4) category ships, two of which are the hospital ships USNS Comfort and Mercy.
When it comes to tugs, there are the last two (of seven built in the 1970s-80s) Powhatan-class: USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168) and USNS Apache (T-ATF 172), with the latter recently retired but not disposed of yet. This is fleshed out by the 4,066-ton/276-foot MV Gary Chouest, manned on a long-term lease.
Submarine and SPECWAR support vessels include the leased MV Kellie Chouest, MV HOS Dominator, MV Malama, and the government-owned USNS Black Powder (T-AGSE 1), USNS Westwind (T-AGSE 2), USNS Eagleview (T-AGSE 3), and USNS Arrowhead (T-AGSE 4), all generally oil field supply boats purchased or leased from operators in the Gulf.
USNS Eagleview (T-AGSE 3) in her commercial guise as MV HOS Eagleview, an oilfield supply boat owned and operated by Hornbeck Offshore. 200819-N-IS698-0007
The only two salvage and rescue ships left are the two final 3,336-ton/255-foot Safeguard-class vessels USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51) and USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52). Commissioned in the mid-1980s, they were decommissioned and transferred to the MSC in 2006.
Sailors assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1, Company 1-6, embarked aboard the Military Sealift Command rescue and salvage ship USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52) work to complete a heavy lift of a 30-ton wrecked Korean vessel as part of Salvage Exercise (SALVEX) 2015. (U.S. Navy photo by Navy Diver 2nd Class Blake Florhe/Released)
With that, we have the following contract announcements made in the past week, specifically running the above-mentioned MV Gary Chouest and adding the MV HOS Rosebud from Hornbeck Offshore to the game:
Alpha Marine Services LLC, Cut Off, Louisiana, is awarded a $12,656,010 firm-fixed-price option (P00005) with reimbursable elements contract N3220521C4030 for the long-term charter of one U.S.-flagged Jones Act offshore supply vessel, MV Gary Chouest, to support Navy fleet requirements for towing, diving and salvage operations, submarine rescue, and training exercises. This contract includes a 12-month base period with two 12-month option periods, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $38,008,507. Work will be performed primarily in the Atlantic Ocean and is expected to be completed, if all options are exercised, by July 29, 2024. Fiscal 2022 working capital (Navy) funds in the amount of $12,656,010 are obligated for the option period and will not expire. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website and two offers were received. The Navy’s Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220521C4030).
And:
Hornbeck Offshore Operators LLC, Covington, Louisiana, was awarded an $8,766,200 firm-fixed-price contract (N3220522C3102) for the operation and crewing of one Jones Act-qualified, U.S.-flagged vessel to support the Navy’s submarine fleet operational and rescue requirements. This contract includes one 182-day base period, one 182-day option period, and one 120-day option period, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $19,336,200. The vessel, HOS Rosebud, will provide support for Navy operations in the Atlantic Ocean. Working capital funds (Transportation) in the amount of $8,766,200 are obligated for fiscal 2022, and will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the System for Award Management website, and one offer was received. The Navy’s Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220522C3102). (Awarded July 20, 2022)
The plan is to finally put much of the above out to pasture with the eight planned new Navajo-class rescue and salvage ships building at Bollinger and Austal.
At 5,100 tons they will be a much-needed shot in the arm for such neglected yet vital work, although they will still be MCS vessels.
190215-N-DM308-003 WASHINGTON (Jan. 29, 2019) An artist rendering of the future USNS Navajo (T-ATS 6). (U.S. Navy photo illustration/Released)