GIS to build newest named T-ATS

WASHINGTON - Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer announced July 26 that the newest Towing, Salvage, and Rescue ship (T-ATS 8) will be named ‘Saginaw Ojibwe Anishinabek’ in honor of the history, service and contributions of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. The Saginaw Chippewas are comprised of Saginaw, Black River, and Swan Creek bands. Ojibwe is also referred to as Chippewa and Anishinabek, which means “original people.” The future USNS Saginaw Ojibwe Anishinabek honors the original people of modern day Michigan, said SECNAV, and is the first ship to bear the name Saginaw Ojibwe Anishinabek, and the fifth U.S. ship to be named in honor of the Saginaw Chippewa people. “It’s a great honor to have the name and language of our people on a Navy ship,” said Chief Ronald Ekdahl, chief of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. “We hold our veterans in high regard, and we have a proud tradition of having many of our men and women provide service to our country." Louisiana-based Gulf Island Shipyards (GIS) was awarded a $64.8M contract option for the detail design and construction of T-ATS 8. The future USNS Cherokee Nation is the second ship in the new class of Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ships and will be designated T-ATS 7. The contract includes options for potentially six more vessels, and each additional ship will be named in honor of prominent Native Americans or Native American tribes. The ship will be built at GIS’ Houma, La., shipyard, and is expected to be completed in July 2021. (Source: SECNAV office 07/26/19)