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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive


Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52)
ex
USS Salvor (ARS-52) (1986 - 2007)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Lima - November - Bravo
NLNB
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation
Precedence of awards is from left to right
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (5) - National Defense Service Medal


Safeguard Class Rescue and Salvage Ship:
  • Laid down, 16 September 1982, at Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, WI.
  • Launched, 12 November 1983
  • Commissioned USS Salvor (ARS-52), 14 June 1986, LCDR. R. A. Reish USN, in command
  • Salvor is assigned to ComNavSurfPac and homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI.
  • Decommissioned, 12 January 2007, at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI.
  • Transferred to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) the same date and placed in service as USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52)
    Specifications:
    Displacement 2,633 t.(lt) 3,282 t.(fl)
    Length 255'
    Beam 51'
    Draft 17' (max.)
    Speed 14 kts.
    USS Complement
    6 Officers
    94 Enlisted
    USNS Complement unknown
    Armament
    two MK-38 25mm chain guns
    two .50 cal machine guns
    Range 8,000 miles at 8 knots
    Propulsion
    four Caterpillar 399 diesel engines
    two propeller shafts 4,200hp

    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed By
    /Source
    USS Salvor (ARS-52)
    Salvor 88k USS Salvor (ARS-52) under way circa June 1986 in the Great Lakes.
    US Navy photo
    Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Salvor 99k USS Salvor (ARS-52) under way south of Oahu by HSL helo for antenna identification pictures. Note that the aft kingpost and stack are painted out haze grey, this was accomplished in the early 90's during Desert Storm, when the contrast black/grey was deemed a missile hazard..
    US Navy photo.
    USS Salvor (ARS-52) web site
    Salvor 67k
    Salvor
    DN-SC-90-01701
    299k USS Salvor (ARS-52) under way outbound from San Diego, circa October 1986, with three vessels in tow. Salvor is towing two decommissioned Auxiliary Ocean Tugs (ATA)s and the Large Harbor Tug Hyannis (YTB-817). The red and white commercial tug is assisting by keeping the tows in line while departing the harbor.
    US National Archives photo #'s DN-SC-90-01701 and DN-SC-90-01704.
     
    Salvor
    DN-SC-90-01704
    412k
    Salvor 186k Looking aft from the port bridge wing of USS Salvor (ARS-52) during salvage training in East Loch, Pearl Harbor Hawaii in 1996. The stern of the intentionally stranded salvage training hulk ex-USS Tunica (ATA-178) can be seen in the distance. Inflatable buoys are being used to float Salvor's port main towing hawser to the stranded wreck. Some details of Salvor's 40-ton capacity aft boom are seen in the foreground. One of Salvor's two 35-foot work boats can be seen at right.
    Image courtesy of Pamcwill (real name unknown).
    Robert Hurst
    Salvor 77k USS Salvor (ARS-52) returns home after a three month deployment, 5 September 2002, in which she stood in for USS Safeguard (ARS 50) to participate in the CARAT 2002 exercise.
    US Navy photo by PH1(AW) William R. Goodwin, from Hawaii Navy News Online web site.
    Bill Gonyo
    Salvor 76k USS Salvor (ARS-52) moored, Pier 2, Naval Station San Diego, 2003. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Salvor 86k USS Salvor (ARS-52) moored, Pier 2, Naval Station San Diego, 2003. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Salvor 130k RBN divers aboard USS Salvor (ARS-52) watch a US Navy diver demonstrate the MK20 dive mask.
    US Navy photo # 040621-N-2573M-015 by EM1 Elysian McIntyre.
    Bill Gonyo
    Salvor 148k USS Salvor (ARS-52) pulls into Pearl Harbor following a deployment to the Western Pacific, 20 September 2004. The ship departed Hawaii to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2004 exercise. CARAT is a regularly scheduled series of bilateral military training exercises with Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines.
    US Navy photo # 040920-N-0106C-001 by JO1 Daniel J. Calderón
    USS Salvor (ARS-52) web site
    Salvor 628k USS Salvor (ARS-52) operates at sea during the Singapore phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2006. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the United States and six Southeast Asia nations designed to build relationships and enhance the operational readiness of the participating forces.
    US Navy photo # 060607-N-4205W-003 South China Sea (June 7, 2006) by MC1 Kathryn Whittenberger.
    Bill Gonyo
    Salvor 87k QM3 Robert Arredondo, explains to visitors from the Navy division of the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) how USS Salvor (ARS-52) is controlled from the bridge. Visits to Vietnam by U.S. Navy ships symbolize the continuation of normalized relations between two nations. Sailors from Salvor and the mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot (MCM-7) will have an opportunity to interact with the Vietnamese people through a variety of events, including a community service project at a local orphanage and a volleyball game with the Navy division of the PAVN.
    US Navy photo # 60704-N-9851B-003 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (July 2, 2006) by MC2 John L. Beeman
    Bill Gonyo
    Salvor 59k USS Salvor (ARS-52) moored at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 4 July 2006. Salvor is in holiday dress for a 4th of July celebration, while in port at Ho Chi Minh City. Visits to Vietnam by US Navy ships symbolize the continuation of relations between the two nations. Sailors from Salvor and the mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) will have an opportunity to interact with the Vietnamese people through a variety of events, including a community service project at a local orphanage and a volleyball game with the Navy division of the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN).
    US Navy photo # 060704-N-9851B-009 by MC2 John L. Beeman.
    Lee Wahler
    Salvor 57k USS Salvor (ARS-52) at anchor in the Strait of Madura, off the coast of Indonesia, 15 July 2006. Salvor (ARS 52) was conducting familiarization dives with Indonesian Navy divers. US Navy and Indonesian Navy divers were conducting familiarization dives to give Indonesian divers an opportunity to see how US divers conduct operations. Salvor is currently participating in the third phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT). CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the United States and six Southeast Asia nations designed to build relationships and enhance the operational readiness of the participating forces.
    US Navy photo # 060715-N-9851B-005 by MC2 John L. Beeman.
    Lee Wahler
    Salvor 1025k Sailors aboard USS Salvor (ARS-52) man the rails as they prepare to moor pierside at Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Salvor returned home after completing a five-month deployment to Southeast Asia in support of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT). CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the Navy and the armed forces of Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Philippines.
    US Navy photo # 061002-N-4965F-006 Pearl Harbor (Oct. 2, 2006) by MC1 James E. Foehl.
    Bill Gonyo
    Salvor 103k USS Salvor (ARS-52) sailors man the rails for the final time during decommissioning at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI., 12 January 2007. Salvor was later placed in service as USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) and transferred to the Military Sealift Command (MSC)
    US Navy photo # 070112-N-4400J-020 by MC1 Keith Jones.
    Lee Wahler
    Salvor 45k USS Salvor (ARS-52) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
    Robert Hurst
    Salvor 139k USS Salvor (ARS-52) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
    Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52)
    Salvor 939k The Pearl Harbor-based guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG-73) ran aground 5 February, 2009, about a half-mile south of the Honolulu airport while off-loading personnel into a small boat. USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52), which included an embarked detachment of Mobile Diving Salvage Unit One (MDSU-1) personnel, MV Dove, and seven Navy and commercial tugboats freed Port Royal off a shoal on 9 February.
    US Navy photo # 090207-N-0000X-002 PEARL HARBOR (Feb. 7, 2009).
    Lee Wahler
    Salvor 462k USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) anchored in the Yellow Sea off the coast of the Republic of Korea in support of Republic of Korea Navy search and rescue efforts in the wake of the sinking of ROKS Cheonan (PCC-772). USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49), USNS Salvor, USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) and USS Lassen (DDG-82) are in the area supporting ROK efforts.
    US Navy photo # 100403-N-7843A-059 by LCDR. Denver Applehans.
    Bill Gonyo
    Salvor 428k USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) anchored in the Yellow Sea. Salvor is supporting Republic of Korea (ROK) navy efforts to salvage a ROK navy ship that sank March 26.
    US Navy photo # 100411-N-7843A-108 YELLOW SEA (April 11, 2010) by LCDR. Denver Applehans.
    Lee Wahler
    Salvor 313k USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy (MSC) photo
    Robert Hurst
    Concord 1627k USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52), with ex-USNS Concord (T-AFS-5) in tow outbound from Pearl Harbor, 15 July 1012. Concord was sunk as a RIMPAC 2012 target in position 23-00 N 159-55W (60 miles NNW of Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii) on the morning of 17 July 2012. Captain Wade Armstrong, Pearl Harbor Pilots
    Kilauea 911k USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) with ex-USNS Kilauea (T-AE-26) in tow outbound from Pearl Harbor, 18 July 2012. Kilauea was sunk as a RIMPAC 2012 target in position 23-00 N 159-55W (60 miles NNW of Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii) on the morning of 20 July 2012. Captain Wade Armstrong Pearl Harbor Pilots
    Coronado 163k USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) outbound from Pearl Harbor, 17 August 2012, with ex-USS Coronado (AGF-11) in tow, en route to Guam where Coronado was expended as a target in a SINKEX in early September 2012.
    Photo courtesy of Woody Ross, Military Sealift Command Office Pearl Harbor Hawaii.
    Captain Wade Armstrong Pearl Harbor Pilots
    Salvor 1281k USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) moored at the Sihanoukville Commercial Port ready to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Cambodia 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor Leste.
    US Navy photo # 121021-N-VA590-230 SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia (Oct. 21, 2012) by MCC Jose Lopez, Jr.
    Lee Wahler
    Salvor 189k USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) under way during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines 2013. CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste
    US Navy photo # 130628-N-YU572-698 SUBIC BAY, Philippines (June 28, 2013) by MC1 Jay C. Pugh
    Lee Wahler
    Salvor 119k The decommissioned USS Tuscaloosa (LST-1187) is towed out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 12 July 2014, by USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) in preparation for a sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014.
    US Navy photo # 140712-N-GO855-085 by by MC1 Charles E. White.
    Robert Hurst
    Salvor 198k USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) about 600 miles off the coast of San Diego, CA., during the recovery mission of NASA's Orion crew module (in foreground) with U.S. Navy divers approaching in Zodiac boats, 5 December 2014.
    US Navy photo by MCSN Christopher A. Veloicaza.
    Robert Hurst
    Salvor
    150312-N-ZZ999-002 CHINHAE, Republic of Korea (March 12, 2015)
    258k Sailors assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1, Company 1-6, embarked aboard USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) work to complete a heavy lift of a 30 ton wrecked Korean vessel as part of Salvage Exercise (SALVEX) 2015. The heavy lift was the culmination of a two-week bilateral exercise between U.S. Navy divers and Republic of Korea (ROK) navy divers which focused on reinforcing teamwork and interoperability between the U.S. and ROK navies while giving Sailors the opportunity to sharpen their tactical skills
    US Navy photo #'s 150312-N-ZZ999-002 CHINHAE, Republic of Korea (March 12, 2015) and 150312-N-ZZ999-005 CHINHAE, Republic of Korea (March 12, 2015) by Navy Diver 2nd Class Blake Florhe
    Lee Wahler
    Salvor
    150312-N-ZZ999-006 CHINHAE, Republic of Korea (March 12, 2015)
    225k
    Salvor 1088k USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) transits the South China Sea. Salvor escorted the Military Sealift Command container and RORO ship USNS Sgt. Matej Kocak (T-AK-3005) from Okinawa, Japan to Singapore for repairs.
    US Navy photo # 150331-N-ZZ999-005 SOUTH CHINA SEA (March 31, 2015)
    Lee Wahler
    Salvor 183k USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) moored pierside, 9 September 2015, at ex-Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA. Photo by Darryl Baker
    Salvor 206k USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) and the littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS-4) arrive to Cam Ranh International Port 5 July 2017, during Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) Vietnam 2017. The engagement provides an opportunity for Sailors from the U.S. and Vietnam People's Navy to interact and share knowledge to enhance mutual capabilities and strengthen solid partnerships.
    US Navy Photo # 170705-N-OU129-002 CAM RANH, Vietnam (July 5, 2017) by MC2 Joshua Fulton(
    Lee Wahler
    Salvor
    09375236
    103k Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, 4 September 2018. USNS Salvor (T-AR5 52) and products tanker Humber sit moored over the capsized WW II German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen during an oil recovery project. The U.S. Army. in partnership with the U,5. Navy and the Republic of the Marshall islands are conducting the recovery effort to ensure mission capability of the U.5. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command's Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on Kwajalein while protecting the sensitive ecosystem within the atoll. The Prinz Eugen was transferred to the U.S. Navy as a war prize from the British Royal Navy after WWII and in 1946 she was loaded with oil and cargo and used to test survivability of warships during the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. The operation is being performed by Naval Sea Systems Command. Office of the Supervisor of Salvage engineers and is expected to last until the end of October.
    U.S. Navy photo by Leigh Ann Ferrari
    John Spivey

    USS Salvor (ARS-52) / USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    USS Salvor (ARS-52) Commanding Officers
    01LCDR Reish, Robert A. 14 June 1986 - 29 July 1989
    02LCDR Steadley, Joel F. 29 July 1989 - 25 October 1991
    03LCDR Pauls, James M. 25 October 1991 - 19 November 1993
    04LCDR Howes, Randall S. 19 November 1993 - 12 January 1996
    05LCDR Henson, Christopher Michael 12 January 1996 - 23 January 1998
    06LCDR Bush, Babette Bolivar (Bette), USN (USNA 1985) :RADM 23 January 1998 - 14 January 2000
    07LCDR Nault, William Joseph 14 January 2000 - 12 September 2001
    08LCDR Carter, John Allen (JC) 12 September 2001 - 17 June 2003
    09LCDR McCartney, Michael Alan 17 June 2003 - 28 January2005
    10LCDR Howard, John Colby 28 January 2005 - 12 January 2007
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves. Photos courtesy Bill Gonyo

    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
    US Navy Fact File - Rescue and Salvage Ships - ARS
    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS)
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Service Ship Photo Index Back To The Salvage Ship (ARS) Photo Index
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    Last Updated 22 March 2024