auxiliaries, there is bound to be an occasionaloverlapping of functions to meet an unexpectedsituation.Rescue and Salvage Ships.—The mission of ther e s c u e a n d s a l va g e s h i p ( A R S ) h a s f o u rparts—debeaching stranded vessels, heavy liftcapability from ocean depths, towing other vessels, andmanned diving operations. For rescue missions, theseships are equipped with fire monitors forward andamidships, which can deliver either fire-fighting foamor seawater. The salvage holds of these ships areoutfitted with portable equipment to provide assistanceto other vessels in dewatering, patching, and supplyingof electrical power and other essential services requiredto return a disabled ship to an operating condition.The Navy employs ARSs (fig. 8-37) to salvage U.S.government-owned ships and, when it is in the bestinterests of the United States, privately owned vessels.The rugged construction of these steel-hulled ships,combined with speed and endurance, make rescue andsalvage ships well suited for rescue/salvage operationsof Navy and commercial shipping throughout the world.The versatility of this class of ship adds to thecapabilities of the U.S. Navy with regard to assistingthose in need on the high seas.Oceangoing Tugs.—There is one major type ofoceangoing tug—the ATF (fleet ocean tug) (fig. 8-38). Ithas a large cruising range and limited salvagecapabilities. ATFs are equipped with firefightingequipment, including fire monitors. (A fire monitor issimilar in appearance to a gun and permits water to bedischarged through a horizontal arc of 360°.) They alsoare fitted with automatic towing machines and booms.In addition to hauling and towing, fleet tugs may becalled on to patrol certain areas, lay smoke screens, andpull landing craft off beaches. They are often used insearch and rescue (SAR) operations. Military SealiftCommand (MSC) personnel now operate most fleettugs.Combatant CraftCombatant craft include patrol craft, amphibiouswarfare craft, and mine warfare craft.Patrol craft. Surface patrol craft are intended foruse relatively near the coast or in sheltered waters orrivers. These craft may be transported aboard largerunits.Amphibious warfare craft. All amphibious craftthat have the organic capacity for amphibious assault,principally in coastal waters. They may be transportedaboard larger units.Mine warfare craft. All craft with the primaryfunction of mine warfare that operate in coastal waters.They may be transported aboard larger units.Support CraftAmong the hardest working ships of the Navy arethe support craft. Not primarily fighting ships, they are8-31Student Notes:Photograph courtesy of PH1 Todd P. CichonowiczFigure 8-37.—USS Grapple (ARS-53).Photograph courtesy of Robert J. SitarFigure 8-38.—USNS Powhaten (T-ATF-166).
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