Austal USA has made significant progress in its shipbuilding efforts, having laid the keel of the US Navy’s seventh Navajo-class towing, salvage, and rescue vessel in Alabama. This pivotal event marked the official beginning of construction for the future USNS Solomon Atkinson (T-ATS 12). During the ceremony, the ship sponsors’ initials were authentically welded onto the first keel plate of the vessel’s hull, symbolizing a crucial step in the assembly process.
The ceremony drew a notable audience, including JoAnn Atkinson, the widow of the vessel’s namesake, alongside their daughters, Maria Hayward and Michele Gunyah. Solomon Atkinson was not just any serviceman; he was a trailblazer as a member of the US Navy SEAL Team One in the 1960s, participating in deployments in Korea and completing three tours in Vietnam. His distinguished military service earned him several honors, including the Bronze Star, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V,” and a Purple Heart.
Following his military career, Atkinson returned to his roots in Metlakatla, Alaska. There, he became an influential figure in his community, serving on the Indian Community Council’s education board, founding and presiding over a veteran organization, and even taking on the role of mayor of Metlakatla.
At the keel-laying event, John Lighthammer, the US Navy Auxiliary and Special Mission Shipbuilding Program Manager, emphasized the importance of the Solomon Atkinson for the Navy’s operational capabilities. He expressed gratitude that members of the Atkinson family and the Metlakatla Indian Community could join in celebrating this vital milestone.
The Navajo-class fleet, which includes a total of 10 ships designed to replace the aging Powhatan-class ocean tugs and Safeguard-class rescue vessels that have been in service since the 1980s, aims to enhance the operational efficiency of the US Navy. Each vessel in the class measures 80 meters (263 feet) in length and provides 557 square meters (6,000 square feet) of deck space, accommodating up to 65 sailors.
Equipped with two 6,300 horsepower Wartsila diesel engines, the vessels boast an operational range of 8,100 nautical miles (15,001 kilometers/9,321 miles) and are capable of reaching speeds of 15 knots (28 kilometers/17 miles per hour). The USNS Atkinson is one of five Navajo-class ships contracted from Austal USA, with the first five vessels awarded to Bollinger Shipyards. Most recently, the sixth ship in the series, the USNS Billy Frank Jr. (T-ATS 11), was christened earlier in April, continuing the Navy’s commitment to modernize its fleet.
