USNS Grapple (T-ARS-53)

USS "Grapple" (ARS-53) is a "Safeguard"-class salvage ship in the United States Navy.

She is homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.

In 2000, she won the Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award for the Atlantic Fleet.

Rescue and salvage ships render assistance to disabled ships, provide towing, salvage, diving, firefighting and heavy lift capabilities.

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.

The 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 enables the U.S. Navy to render assistance to those in peril on the high seas.

Towing of Minesweepers

USS|Inflict|MSO-456, USS|Fearless|MSO-442 and USS|Illusive|MSO-448 were towed to the Gulf of Oman by USS "Grapple" (ARS-53) departing Little Creek, Virginia on September 6, 1987. Traveling via the Suez Canal and arriving in the Gulf of Oman November 2, 1987. At the time, the 9000 nautical mile trip was the longest distance three ships were towed by one. [ [http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/g/ars-53/1987.pdf "Grapple" ships history 1987] ]

USNS Grapple

13 July 2006 "Grapple" was decommissioned from US Navy service and converted to civilian operation by Military Sealift Command. She was redesignated as USNS "Grapple" (T-ARS 53).

References

External links

* [http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/ships.asp?ship=178&type=RescueSalvageShip Official site]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/g/ars53.htm NHC - USS Grapple ship's histories]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/g7/grapple-ii.htm DANFS - Grapple II] (it also has "Grasp" ARS-51 material mixed into it making it misleading)
* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/ARS53.htm NVR - ARS-53]

"This article contains information from a United States Navy web site which is in the "public domain"."