"The
Navy's acceptance of T-AGS 66 is the culmination of a dedicated team
effort between the Navy and V.T. Halter," said Mike Kosar, the
Support Ships, Boats, and Craft Program Manager for the Navy's Program
Executive Office (PEO) Ships. "I look forward to learning of the
new and innovative contributions to science and ocean exploration that
USNS Maury and her crew will undoubtedly make over the next 30 years."
T-AGS 66 is named in honor of Cmdr. Matthew Fontaine Maury, known as
the "Father of Modern Oceanography," and nicknamed, "Pathfinder
of the Seas." He dedicated his life to the study of naval meteorology
and oceanography, and made copious contributions to the charting of
wind and ocean currents. USNS Maury will continue to contribute to his
curiosity and thirst for ocean discovery and understanding.
The vessel is 353 feet in length with an overall beam of 58 feet. USNS
Maury is 24 feet longer than the previous T-AGS design to accommodate
a moon pool for deployment and retrieval of autonomous underwater vehicles.
USNS Maury will be operated by the Military Sealift Command
(MSC). MSC consists of non-combatant, civilian crewed ships that replenish
U.S. Navy ships, chart ocean bottoms, conduct undersea surveillance,
tactically preposition combat cargo at sea and move military equipment
and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces around the world. |
