Bollinger Shipyards has launched the lead ship in the U.S. Navy’s new Navajo-Class Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ships (T-ATS).
The launch took place last week at Bollinger’s Houma Shipyard in Louisiana.
The Navajo-class will focus on long-range towing, rescue, and salvage missions for the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, as well as humanitarian assistance, search and rescue, and oil spill response. They will be replacing T-ATF fleet ocean tugs and the T-ARS rescue and salvage ships within the U.S. Navy.
Bollinger has been contracted for five vessels in the class, including the Navajo (T-ATS 6), Cherokee Nation (T-ATS 7), and Saginaw Ojibwe Anishinabek (T-ATS 8), which are under construction. Bollinger is under contract for the Lenni Lenape (T-ATS 9) and Muscogee Creek Nation (T-ATS 10).
Bollinger acquired the T-ATS program in April 2021 from Gulf Island Shipyards in a deal that included Gulf Island’s Houma shipyard facilities.
Austal USA is building an additional four Navajo-class ships.
Earlier this year, Bollinger Houma Shipyard also celebrated the launch of a Regional Class Research Vessel (RCRV) for Oregon State University and the National Science Foundation.
