Austal starts construction of Navajo-class rescue and salvage ship T-ATS 11.

According to a PR published by Austal USA on July 11, 2022, the firm celebrated the start of construction on the company’s first steel ship - a U.S. Navy Navajo Class Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ship (T-ATS 11).
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Ceremony of the start of construction of the Navajo class rescue and salvage ship T-ATS 11. (Picture source: Austal)

The milestone was observed during a ceremony at which Congressman Jerry Carl, U.S. representative for Alabama’s first district, and Rear Admiral Thomas J. Anderson, U.S. Navy’s program executive officer for ships spoke alongside Austal USA Vice President of New Construction, Dave Growden.

Austal’s new 170,000 square foot enclosed steel production facility houses state-of-the-art computerized and robotic steel processing equipment. The new facility will operate using Austal’s proven ship manufacturing processes and innovative methods that incorporate lean manufacturing principles, modular construction, and moving assembly lines. Modules for T-ATS will be built in the new steel production facility before being transported to the final assembly hall to be erected.

About the Navajo-class rescue and salvage ship

The Navajo class is a class of Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ships of the United States Navy. They were ordered in 2017 as the planned replacement for the aging Safeguard-class rescue and salvage ships and Powhatan-class tugboats. The lead ship of the first batch of six ships was laid down in 2019.

The ships have a length of 263 ft (80 m), a beam of 59 ft (18 m), a draft of 17.7 ft (5.4 m), and a depth of 24.6 ft (7.5 m). They can displace 5,110 long tons (5,190 t).

The class is powered by two diesel engines Wartsila 8L32 and can reach a top speed of 15.1 knots (28.0 km/h; 17.4 mph). They can carry up a complement of 42 sailors.