Originally commissioned as the USS Grasp (ARS-51), she was ready for her first assignment to provide rescue, salvage and towing operations whenever and wherever needed. In 1986 she escorted the Shreveport (LPD-12) from New York to Little Creek, Virginia. Another escort the same year was for the Merrimack (AO-179) out of Chesapeake Bay back to the Grasp's home port of Little Creek.
These ships are equipped with fire monitor stations forward and amidships that allow firefighting foam or sea water to be used against onboard fires. These ships have portable equipment stored at lower holds to provide assistance to other vessels in need of water pumping or patching holes in the hull. They also offer generators for additional electrical power and other service machinery that may be required to aid ships and put them back into operating condition.
The adaptability of the Grasp and her class of ships provides the Navy with the muscle to provide aid to ships of all sizes while working with divers against underwater obstructions. In addition to her firefighting abilities, this makes her a valuable assistance to those vessels in dire need.
The Grasp is powered by four diesel engines producing 4,200 shaft horsepower that allow her to tow a "supercarrier" at 5 knots. The salvage capability of the ship come into play by way to twin booms, the larger one located aft and able to lift some 40 tons with the second one held forward with a capacity to haul 7.5 tons. The MK12 and MK 1 air diving systems allow the divers on board to tether diving down to a depth of 190 feet.
She became the USNS Grasp (T-ARS-51) in a ceremony at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek. After the shipyard period, the vessel began a training phase designed to provide the smaller civilian crew of 69 persons with experience operating the ship. Grasp will be manned by 26 civilian mariners along with 4 military personnel during this time. Changes to the engine plant and bridge operations will allow such a sized crew to operate the ship.
Specifications for the USNS Grasp (T-ARS-51)
Length: 255ft (77.72m)
Beam: 50ft (15.24m)
Draught: 15.5ft (4.72m)
Performance:
Surface Speed: 15kts (17mph)
Range: 8,000miles (12,875km)
Complement: 100
Surface Displacement: 3,335tons
Engine(s): 4 x Caterpillar 399 diesel engines developing 4,200 shaft horsepower driving 2 x shafts with controllable pitch propellers.
Armament Suite:
2 x 25mm Mk 38 chain guns
2 x 12.7mm M2 Browning heavy machine guns
Structure:
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| The USNS Grasp (T-ARS-51) is a Safeguard-class salvage ship constructed by Peterson Builders in 1983 at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and was commissioned in the United States Navy in December of 1985. |
These ships are equipped with fire monitor stations forward and amidships that allow firefighting foam or sea water to be used against onboard fires. These ships have portable equipment stored at lower holds to provide assistance to other vessels in need of water pumping or patching holes in the hull. They also offer generators for additional electrical power and other service machinery that may be required to aid ships and put them back into operating condition.
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| The defined mission parameters of such rescue and salvage ships is varied. They tow and refloat stranded vessels at sea and can also lift aircraft and ships from the ocean floor during recovery operations while doubling as a platform for manned diving operations and rescue missions. |
The adaptability of the Grasp and her class of ships provides the Navy with the muscle to provide aid to ships of all sizes while working with divers against underwater obstructions. In addition to her firefighting abilities, this makes her a valuable assistance to those vessels in dire need.
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| The United States Navy has the accountability of salvaging and rescue all of their own vessels at sea and - if in the best interests of the US Government - some privately-owned boats as well. |
The Grasp is powered by four diesel engines producing 4,200 shaft horsepower that allow her to tow a "supercarrier" at 5 knots. The salvage capability of the ship come into play by way to twin booms, the larger one located aft and able to lift some 40 tons with the second one held forward with a capacity to haul 7.5 tons. The MK12 and MK 1 air diving systems allow the divers on board to tether diving down to a depth of 190 feet.
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| The robust construction of the steel-hulled ship is well-matched with her speed and staying power, making the Grasp well-suited for rescue and salvage operations anywhere in the world. Below the waterline, her hull was referenced as if she was an ice breaker ship. |
She became the USNS Grasp (T-ARS-51) in a ceremony at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek. After the shipyard period, the vessel began a training phase designed to provide the smaller civilian crew of 69 persons with experience operating the ship. Grasp will be manned by 26 civilian mariners along with 4 military personnel during this time. Changes to the engine plant and bridge operations will allow such a sized crew to operate the ship.
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| Grasp continued to serve the US Navy until January 2006, to which she was transferred to Military Sealift Command (MSC) after 20 years of service. |
Specifications for the USNS Grasp (T-ARS-51)
Length: 255ft (77.72m)
Beam: 50ft (15.24m)
Draught: 15.5ft (4.72m)
Performance:
Surface Speed: 15kts (17mph)
Range: 8,000miles (12,875km)
Complement: 100
Surface Displacement: 3,335tons
Engine(s): 4 x Caterpillar 399 diesel engines developing 4,200 shaft horsepower driving 2 x shafts with controllable pitch propellers.
Armament Suite:
2 x 25mm Mk 38 chain guns
2 x 12.7mm M2 Browning heavy machine guns
Structure:
