Ron Artis added his artistic designs to help
create a relaxing environment for our country's finest.
USS SAFEGUARD is the lead ship of the new Rescue and
Salvage class of Vessels constructed for the U.S. Navy to both
replace an aging class of vessels and upgrade the
mission-essential equipment and systems found onboard
vessels of this type. The mission of these ships is fourfold:
Debeaching of stranded vessels
Heavy lift capability from ocean depths
Towing of other vessels
Manned diving operations
For rescue missions, the ship is equipped with four fire monitorsforward
and amidship that can deliver both firefighting foam or saltwater. The
salvage holds of the ship are outfitted with portable equipment to effect
assistance to other vessels in dewatering, patching, supplying electrical
power and other essentrial services require to return a disabled ship to an
operating condition. Additionally , SAFEGUARD has the finest diver life
support air system in the fleet.
The rugged construction of this steel-hulled vessel, combined with her
speed and endurance, make the SAFEGUARD well-suited for the
rescue/salvage operations of Naval and commercial shipping throughout
the world. The versatility of this class of ship adds immeasurably to the
capabilities of the U.S. Navy with the regards to rendering assistance to
those in peril on the high seas.