Function: Seven ocean-going tugs are operated by Military Sealift Command and provide the U.S. Navy with towing service, and when augmented by Navy divers, assist in the recovery of downed aircraft and ships.





History: Fleet tugs are used to tow ships, barges and targets for gunnery exercises. They are also used as platforms for salvage and diving work, as participants in naval exercises, to conduct search and rescue missions, to aid in the clean up of oil spills and ocean accidents, and to provide fire fighting assistance. USNS Apache (T-ATF 172) is the last of the Powhatan class of ocean tugs delivered to the Navy in 1981.







Description: Each vessel is equipped with 10 ton capacity crane and a bollard pull of at least 54 tons. A deck grid is fitted aft which contains 1 inch bolt receptacles spaced 24 inches apart. This allows for the bolting down of a wide variety of portable equipment. There are two GPH fire pumps supplying three fire monitors with up to 2,200 gallons of foam per minute. A deep module can be embarked to support naval salvage teams.





General Characteristics, Powhatan Class



Builders:

Marinette Marine Corporation, Marinette, WI





Power Plant:

Two GM EMD 20-645F7B diesels; 5.73 MW sustained; two shafts; Kort nozzles (except on Powhatan and one other); cp props; bow thruster; 300 hp (224 kW)





Length, Overall:

226 feet (68.88 meters)







Beam:

42 feet (12.80 meters)





Displacement:

2,260 long tons (2,296.27 metric tons) full load





Speed:

14.5 knots (16.69 mph, 26.86)





Crew:

16 civilians and 4 naval communications technicians











Ships:

USNS Powhatan (T-ATF 166)

USNS Narragansett (T-ATF 167)

USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168)

USNS Navajo (T-ATF 169)

USNS Mohawk (T-ATF 170)

USNS Sioux (T-ATF 171)

USNS Apache (T-ATF 172)