Austal USA christened its first steel ship, the future USNS Billy Frank Jr. (T-ATS 11), during a ceremony at its Mobile, Ala., facility on March 29. The ceremony for the Navy’s sixth towing, salvage and rescue ship (T-ATS) was attended by company officials, Navy leaders, and members of the Native American community, Austal said in a press release.
Peggen Frank, the ship’s sponsor, broke a champagne bottle over the bow to mark the occasion.
“Austal USA is excited to christen our first steel ship today,” said Dave Growden, vice president of surface programs at Austal. “It’s an honor to participate in this ceremony alongside Ms. Frank and the Native American tribes represented here today. I am proud to represent our talented workforce as we celebrate this milestone accomplishment and look forward to completing T-ATS 11 and delivering her to the fleet.”
Among the dignitaries attending the ceremony were Dr. Brett Seidle, acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition; Rear Adm. Thomas Anderson, Program Executive Officer Ships; Rear Adm. Mark Haigis, Deputy Commander of Military Sealift Command; and William Frank III, son of the ship’s namesake.
Austal said the future USNS Billy Frank Jr. is designed to support a wide range of missions, including towing, salvage, rescue, oil spill response, humanitarian assistance, and wide-area search and surveillance. The 263’x59’x24.5’ vessel features 6,000 square feet of deck space, allowing for flexible mission configurations, and will replace aging platforms such as the rescue and salvage ship (T-ARS 50) and fleet ocean tug (T-ATF 166), Austal noted. The vessel draws 17’7" and can reach speeds of 15 knots, powered by twin Wärtsilä 8L32 engines, each producing 6,308 hp.
The future USNS Billy Frank Jr. is one of three T-ATS vessels under construction at Austal USA with two more under contract. The christening of T-ATS 11 marks an important step in the company’s expansion into steel shipbuilding.
