USNS Grasp (T-ARS-51)

History

The USNS Grasp (T-ARS-51) is a support class recovery vessel built in 1983 by Peterson Builders of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and commissioned with the US Navy in December 1985. Originally serving as the USS Grasp (ARS-51), she is ready for her maiden deployment for rescue, salvage and tow operations anywhere, anytime. In 1986, she escorted Shreveport (LPD-12) from New York to Creek, Virginia.

Another escort in the same year was Merrimack (AO-179) returning from the Chesapeake Bay to Grasp's creek homeport.

The defined deployment parameters for such rescue and salvage vessels are varied. They dragged the stranded ships out to sea and brought them back to sea. They can also lift aircraft and ships off the seabed for salvage operations, while also serving as platforms for manned diving operations and rescue missions.

The ships are equipped with fire control stations fore and aft, allowing the use of firefighting foam or sea water to extinguish fires on board. These ships have portable equipment stowed in the lower cargo hold to assist other ships that need to pump water or patch holes in their hulls.

They also provide generators to provide additional power and other service machinery to assist the ship and bring it back into service.

The U.S. Navy is responsible for salvaging and salvaging all its own ships at sea, and - when it is in the best interests of the U.S. government - also includes some privately owned vessels. The adaptability of the Grasp and its ship class allows the Navy to assist ships of all sizes while working with divers to combat underwater obstacles.

Along with her firefighting abilities, this makes her an invaluable aid to ships in distress.

The boat's robust steel hull construction matches its speed and endurance, making the Grasp ideal for rescue and recovery operations anywhere in the world. Below the waterline, her hull is known as an icebreaker.

Grasp is powered by four 4,200-horsepower diesel engines, allowing her to tow a "supercarrier" at 5 knots. The vessel's salvage capacity is effected through two outriggers, the larger at the stern, capable of lifting around 40 tonnes, while the second at the bow has a capacity of 7.5 tonnes.

The MK12 and MK1 air diving systems allow divers on board to dive to a depth of 190 feet.

Grasp's first overseas deployment was in October 1987, when it was sent to tow targets in the Mediterranean for naval firing exercises. This includes towing the aging destroyer USS Impetuoso (D-558), which was torpedoed while training at sea. In 1988, she was assigned to recover a General Dynamics/Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon that crashed off the coast of Fort Myers, Florida. The following year, the destroyer USS Spruance (DD-963) ran aground near San Andros Island and Grasp, and together with the fleet ocean-going tug USS Mohawk (TATF-170) began operations to refloat the destroyer. After liberation, Grasp dragged the Spruance into Mississippi waters.

In 1990, she was assigned to support SEAL exercises off the coast of Florida, and was then responsible for moving the wreckage of a Kaman SH-2E Seasprite helicopter near Mayport. She was later dispatched to search for a crashed Lockheed S-3B Corsair off the coast of Virginia.

In 1991, she assisted in the diving school training program and was sent to tow the Coast Guard Heavy Cutter USCGC Chase (WHEC-718) when the engine was lost. In 1996, Grasp was involved in the recovery after the crash of TWA Flight 800 off Long Island, New York.

Grasp continued to serve in the U.S. Navy until January 2006, when she was transferred to Military Sealift Command (MSC) after 20 years of service. She became USNS Grasp (T-ARS-51) in a ceremony at Naval Amphibious Base Creek. Following the shipyard period, the vessel began a training phase to provide a small civilian crew of 69 with experience in operating the vessel. During this period, Grasp will be operated by 26 civilian seafarers and 4 military personnel.

Changes to machinery and bridge operations will allow such a large crew to operate the ship.

On January 18, 2010, USNS Grasp (T-ARS-51) arrived in Haiti to assist with dive recovery operations in damaged Port-au-Prince in support of joint response operations. The salvage vessel was assisted by the U.S.

Army's 544th Engineer Diving Unit to interpret underwater scan data from the USNS Henson in port. The aim is to reopen port facilities and expedite the unloading of relief supplies.

After the pilot checks the obstacle, Grasp is sent to clear the underwater debris - something only she and her crew can do.

Specification

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