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T-ARS-51 "USNS GRASP"
Photo by: Birk Thomas

Built in 1983, at Peterson Builders Incorporated Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin (hull #ARS 51) as the ARS-51 (USS Grasp) for the United States Navy.

She was the second Safeguard class salvage ship designed and built for the United States Navy. The tug was completed, and launched on May 21st, 1984 and allocated to the Naval Air Base at Little Creek, Virginia.

On January 19th, 2006 the tug was decommissioned and transferred to the service of Military Sealift Command, and redesignated as the T-ARS-51 (USNS Grasp).

Powered by four, Caterpillar 399 diesel engines, turning two, shafts with two, controllable-pitch propellers. She is a twin screw tug, rated at 4,200 horsepower.

The towing equipment consists of an Almon A. Johnson Series 322, double-drum, automatic towing machine. With 3,000 (ft) of 2.25(in) towing wire. A Series 400 traction winch, outfitted with 14(in) synthetic hawser, and a set Norman pin rollers.
(NAVSource Online, Brandon Durar)


  • Vessel Name: T-ARS-51 "USNS GRASP"
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 8434324
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted Registry
  • Call Sign: NADQ
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: ARS 51
  • Ship Builder: Peterson Builders Inc.
  • Year Built: 1983
  • Length: 255
  • Hailing Port: NORFOLK, VA.
  • Hull Depth: 17
  • Hull Breadth: 51
  • Gross Tonnage: 3203
  • Net Tonnage: 2354
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    ARS-51 "USS Grasp"
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    United States Navy