Keel laying ceremony for the Navajo class USNS Saginaw Ojibwe Anishinabek.

According to information published by the US DoD on October 5, 2022, the keel for the future USNS Saginaw Ojibwe Anishinabek (T-ATS 8) was ceremonially laid at Bollinger Houma Shipyards.
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Keel laying ceremony for the third Navajo-class rescue and salvage ship (Picture source: US DoD)

The Navajo class (T-ATS) provides ocean-going tug, salvage, and rescue capabilities to support fleet operations. T-ATS replaces and fulfills the capabilities that were previously provided by the Fleet Ocean Tug (T-ATF 166) and Rescue and Salvage Ships (T-ARS 50) class ships.

In addition to T-ATS 8, Bollinger is constructing USNS Navajo (T-ATS 6) and USNS Cherokee Nation (T-ATS 7) and is under contract for USNS Lenni Lenape (T-ATS 9) and USNS Muscogee Creek Nation (T-ATS 10).

As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission, and support ships, boats, and craft.

About the Navajo class rescue and salvage ship

T-ATS will replace the capabilities of both retiring Rescue and Salvage Ship (T-ARS 50) class and Fleet Ocean Tug (T-ATF 166) class mission requirements.

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.