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USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50)

- formerly ARS 50 -
- deactivated -


USNS SAFEGUARD was the lead ship of the SAFEGUARD class of Rescue and Salvage Ship. On September 26, 2007, she was decommissioned and transfered to the Military Sealift Command. She subsequently served under Military Sealift Command control for another 9 years before she was deactivated and laid up at Pearl Harbor, Hi.

General Characteristics:Awarded: August 28, 1981
Keel laid: November 8, 1982
Launched: November 12, 1983
Commissioned: August 17, 1985
Decommissioned: September 26, 2007
MSC "in service": September 26, 2007
Deactivated: October 1, 2016
Builder: Peterson, Sturgeon Bay
Propulsion system: four Caterpillar 399 Diesel Engines
Propellers: two
Length: 255 feet (77.7 meters)
Beam: 50 feet (15.2 meters)
Draft: 15.5 feet (4.7 meters)
Displacement: approx. 3,200 tons
Speed: 15 knots
Armament: two .50 caliber machine guns; two Mk-38 25mm guns
Workboats: two 35-Ft. Aluminum Boats, two 14-Ft. Inflatable Boats
Crew: 26 MSC and 4 US Navy


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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS / USNS SAFEGUARD. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The Shield:

Argent, a terrestrial globe azure with land masses vertical, north pole elevated showing the Pacific Ocean, and superimposed thereon a stato anchor suspended from the center of the globe. The colors white, blue, and gold refer to the sea and excellence. The stato anchor is especially suited for salvage operations because of its extremely high holding power and relatively low weight. It is appropriate symbol of strength and solid support to fleet operations of the Salvage Navy. The globe showing the Pacific Ocean recalls the area of operation of the SAFEGUARD's service.

The Crest:

On a wreath argent and azure, in front of a torii, rules a demi-horse rampant with a rimmed collar attached thereto a chain and hook of silver. The seahorse denotes the reputation gained by the SAFEGUARD as the "Workhorse of the Pacific Fleet", the horse being a noble beast that is useful both in peace and in war; and his color gold is symbolic of excellence and success. The collar represents command and control. The colors, blue and white, signify the sea. The chain and hook suggest the mission of service and support. The red torii, or oriental gateway, refers to SAFEGUARD's service in the area of Japan, Korea, and the waters of the Western Pacific.


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The photo below was taken by Matthias Jenning and shows the SAFEGUARD during a port visit to Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on November 21, 2015.



The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the SAFEGUARD laid up at Pearl Harbor, Hi., on October 15, 2017.



The photos below were taken by Sebastian Thoma and show the ex-SAFEGUARD laid up at Pearl Harbor, Hi., on March 18, 2022.



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