The U.S. Navy has exercised its options to order the fourth and fifth towing, salvage and rescue ships (T-ATS) from Houma, La. shipbuilder Gulf Island Fabrication. The Navy has remaining options for three additional vessels.The Navajo-class vessels will provide oceangoing tug, salvage and rescue capabilities to support fleet operations, replacing three T-ATF 166 and two T-ARS 50 class ships
Gulf Island Shipyard held a keel laying ceremony for the USNS Cherokee Nation (T-ATS 7) on Thursday afternoon (February 13) at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.Cherokee Nation is the second ship of the Navy's Navajo class of Towing, Salvage, and Rescue vessels.According to a press note from the Navy