Business Sectors
Business Sectors
Events
Contents
Register to read more articles.
US Navy names second Navajo-class towing, salvage vessel
A US shipyard has completed the second of three Navajo-class towing, salvage and rescue ships it is building for the US Navy
The US Navy has named another Navajo-class towing, salvage and rescue ship (T-ATS) in a multi-vessel newbuilding campaign to further enhance its fleet operations.
Solomon Atkinson, launched in January 2026, is the second of three T-ATS ships being constructed by Austal USA at its manufacturing facilities in Mobile, Alabama.
T-ATS vessels will provide oceangoing towing, salvage and rescue operations, combining the capabilities of the retiring rescue and salvage ships (T-ARS 50) and fleet ocean tugs (T-ATF 166).
Navajo-class vessels have a hull and winch system for towing US Navy ships, devices for wide-area search and surveillance, a crane to support salvage, and 557 m2 of unobstructed deck space to carry mission-related equipment, such as for oil spill response.
The first of these T-ATS vessels, USNS Billy Frank, was launched by the shipyard in June 2025, and the third is likely to exit the covered construction facility in Q3 2026.
Also in May 2026, Master Boat Builders announced it was building two modules at its shipyard in Coden, Alabama, for Austal USA for the final T-ATS in the current programme.
Master Boat Builders president, Garrett Rice, said starting fabrication on these modules demonstrates the capabilities of the company to take on complex US Navy work.
“This is exactly the kind of programme that showcases what Gulf Coast shipbuilders can do,” said Mr Rice.
Upon completion, the modules will be transported to Austal USA for final erection and outfitting.
Austal USA has also started construction of a fifth landing and utility craft (LCU) for the US Navy in Mobile.
This is under a US$91.5M contract the shipbuilder has with the US Navy for the construction of 12 LCUs and associated equipment.
LCU vessels will be deployed from the US Navy’s amphibious assault ships, and will operate across different missions, including transporting Marine Corps vehicles, equipment and personnel from ship to shore.
Austal USA has completed the first of these vessels, and LCU 1710 was conducting acceptance trials before its delivery to the US Navy in May 2026.
Riviera’s 28th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, in association with Caterpillar, 19-21 May 2026. Use this link for more details of this industry event and the associated social and networking opportunities.
Related to this Story
Events
Maritime Regulations Webinar Week
16 Dec 2025
GMT - ONLINE
Floating energy: successfully unlocking stranded gas using FLNGs and FSRUs
24 Feb 2026GMT - ONLINE
© 2026 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.
