Austal USA starts constructing its first Navajo-class steel ship

Austal USA has started construction of the first Navajo-class steel emergency rescue ship for the US Navy (T-ATS 11).

“It seems like only yesterday we were breaking ground on our steel shipbuilding facility and here we are, a little over a year later, beginning construction of our first steel ship,” the company representatives said.

Congressman Jerry Carl and Rear Adm. Tom Anderson both stressed the importance of Austal USA’s emergence in the steel market and the quality of Austal US- built ships.

“Thanks to our top-notch workforce and strong shipbuilding track record along the Gulf Coast, Austal USA is now providing world-class steel ships for the U.S. Navy,” said Rep. Jerry Carl.

Austal’s new 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.

T-ATS

T-ATS will provide ocean-going tug, salvage, and rescue capabilities to support U.S. fleet operations and will be a mult- mission common hull platform capable of towing heavy ships.

Delivery of T-ATS 11 to the US fleet is planned for late 2024.

They will replace similar ships of the “T-ATF 166” and “T-ARS 50” projects.

In total, it is planned to manufacture a series of eight Navajo-class vessels which are designed for surface and underwater search and rescue operations, open-ocean towing, and other similar functions.

A 40-ton crane will be installed on each ship for lifting various cargo, for example, plane wreckage as part of a rescue operation. The vessel has additional deck space to accommodate a variety of systems. For example, special equipment is provided for underwater search and rescue functions, such as a pressure chamber for recompression when divers dive to great depths. In addition to the crew, “T-ATS” will be able to take on board up to 42 people, 2-6 people per cabin.