USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168)

USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168)

History
United States
Name:	USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168)
Namesake:	The Catawba, a Native American people of the southeast United States
Owner:	United States Navy
Operator:	Military Sealift Command
Awarded:	12 September 1975
Builder:	Marinette Marine
Laid down:	14 December 1977
Launched:	22 September 1979
Acquired:	28 May 1980
Status:	in active service
General characteristics
Class and type:	Powhatan-class fleet ocean tug
Displacement:	1,387 tons light, 2000 tons full
Length:	226 ft (69 m)
Beam:	42 ft (13 m)
Draft:	15 ft (4.6 m)
Propulsion:	Diesel
Complement:	Officers: 4 Enlisted: 13

USNS Catawba is a Powhatan-class fleet ocean tug operated by the Military Sealift Command for the United States Navy. Currently home ported in Manama, Bahrain.

Ship history

USNS Catawba was deployed to the Northern Persian Gulf during the second Gulf War (Feb-Mar 2003). Her divers provided critical assistance in recovering the bodies of aircrew from two 849 Naval Air Squadron Sea King ASaC.7 helicopters which had collided on 22 March 2003 off the Al-Faw Peninsula, while operating from HMS Ark Royal.^[1]

Catawaba, left, supplies the Faina, right.

Catawba provided MV Faina with food, water, and medical supplies after that ship was released by Somali pirates.^[2]

References

1. ↑ http://www.helis.com/database/unit/686/
2. ↑ "Navy Provides Humanitarian Assistance to Faina Crew". American Forces Press Service. 6 February 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2009. 

• This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.
• US Navy Fact File