USNS Safeguard joins MSC fleet

By Susan Melow
MSFSC Public Affairs

Civil service mariner Boatswain Ernest Baker removes bunting from rescue/salvage ship USS Safeguard, unveiling Military Sealift Command’s distinctive stack stripes at a decommissioning ceremony in Japan, Sept. 26. The ship’s designation changed to ‘USNS’ during the ceremony when the ship transferred to the MSC fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Susan Melow

USS Safeguard, the last of four rescue/salvage ships crewed by active-duty Navy Sailors, was decommissioned and transferred to Military Sealift Command during a Sept. 26 ceremony held at Sasebo Naval Station, Japan, nestled between volcanic peaks on the island of Kyushu in western Japan.

The end of one era was marked by the start of another as the ship's command was passed from commanding officer of the Navy crew to an incoming civil service master.

Executive Director Jack Taylor, Military Sealift Fleet Support Command, accepted the vessel from Navy Rear Adm. Carol Pottenger, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7 /Task Force 76.

Greeting the assembled guests in Japanese, Taylor thanked Lt. Cmdr. Doyle Hodges and the departing crew for their service and praised the civil service master, Capt. Edward Dickerson, and his crew of 26 civil service mariners for their hard work that facilitated the smooth transfer of the vessel.

"Today marks another milestone in the 35 years since Military Sealift Command accepted and began operating its first combat logistics force ship, fleet replenishment oiler USNS Taluga," Taylor said. "Safeguard is the newest addition to the best fleet logistics force in the world."

Boatswain Ernest Baker removed the bunting from the ship's stack, revealing MSC's distinctive black, gray, blue and gold stripes. Chief Mate William Woodman, along with members of the deck department, climbed USNS Safeguard's brow and manned the rail as the transfer ceremony came to an end.

During the 22 years Safeguard supported the Navy as a commissioned ship, the vessel completed nine Republic of Korea Navy salvage exercises and five Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training/Western Pacific deployments.

Among the ship's milestones, Safeguard completed the first salvage exercise between the U.S. and Indian navies in 2005, which salvaged a Seahawk aircraft – undiscovered for at least 30 years – in 165 feet of water.

USS Safeguard was crewed by 110 Navy personnel during the more than two decades of Navy service. MSC's 26 civil service mariners have relieved them — freeing the uniformed sailors for critical jobs in the combatant fleet.

When the ship's modifications are finished over the next two months, Safeguard will begin a training phase for the civil service mariner crew and the mobile diving and salvage unit that will embark. The training will test all of the ship's capabilities, including freeing grounded ships, off-ship fire fighting, heavy lift operations, towing, and diving and salvage.

Safeguard will remain in Sasebo and will have the same missions and operational capabilities. These missions will support the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet.

The civil service crew will be complemented by a four-person military detachment of Navy sailors for communications support and up to 20 Navy divers as the mission requires.