After nearly 24 years of service to the U.S. Navy, ex-USS Miami began its final voyage from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Maine to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Washington, June 12. Navy rescue and salvage ship USNS Apache (T-ATF 172) has the primary mission of towing the unmanned, defueled submarine.
Although ex-Miami has been decommissioned and deactivated, it remains a high-value asset that requires care, said Captain Jose Delfaus, Apache’s civil service master. “The job of Apache is to always be ready to provide professional towing and salvage services to the Navy. It’s our job, with the support of the escort ships, to get ex-Miami to her destination.”
USNS Apache (T-ATF 172) moored at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Maine, preparing to tow ex-SS Miami. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mate Bryan Stoots)
U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mate Bryan Stoots
The ex-USS Miami tow crew participates in abandon ship drills aboard Apache. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mate Bryan Stoots)
