USNS Safeguard (T-ARS-50)

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Career

Builder:	Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay
Laid down:	8 November 1982
Launched:	12 November 1983
Commissioned:	17 August 1985
Decommissioned:	September 26, 2007
Homeport:	Sasebo, Japan
Motto:	"First in Class"
Fate:	Transferred to the Military Sealift Command
General characteristics
Displacement:	approx. 3,200 tons
Length:	255 ft (78 m)
Beam:	50 ft (15 m)
Draft:	15.5 ft (4.7 m)
Propulsion:	4 x Caterpillar 399 Diesel Engines
Speed:	15 knots
Complement:	100 (6 officers, 94 enlisted)
Armament:	2 x .50 caliber machine guns, 2 x MK-38 25mm guns

USS Safeguard (ARS-50) is a Safeguard-class salvage ship, the second United States Navy ship of that name.

Safeguard was laid down on 8 November 1982 by Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; launched on 12 November 1983; and commissioned on 17 August 1985.

Safeguard is the lead ship of the newest auxiliary rescue and salvage class of vessels constructed for the US Navy. The rugged construction of this steel-hulled vessel, combined with her speed and endurance, make Safeguard well-suited for rescue and salvage operations throughout the world. The hull below the waterline is ice-strengthened.

USS Safeguard's sister ships are the USS Grasp (ARS-51), USS Salvor (ARS-52), and USS Grapple (ARS-53).

On September the 26, 2007. USS Safeguard was transferred to the Military Sealift Command