USNS Vindicator (T-AGOS-3)
Encyclopedia
NOAAS Hi'ialakai (R-334) is a research vessel
for the NOAA, but was originally commissioned as USS Vindicator, as a Stalwart class Modified Tactical Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance Ship for the United States Navy
. Stalwart class ships were originally designed to collect underwater acoustical data in support of Cold war
anti-submarine warfare
operations in the 1980s.
and launched June 1, 1984. Acquired by the Military Sealift Command November 21, 1984 and used by the United States Navy for underwater surveillance until she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register June 30, 1993.
as USCGC Vindicator (WMEC-3) for counter narcotics operations. Based out of Norfolk, she served as a "mother ship" for 38-foot pursuit boats used to intercept drug smugglers. Budget cuts in early 2001 resulted in termination of the lease and return to the Military Sealift Command. At one point, Vindicator was under evaluation to be a test ship for a Marine Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell Demonstration Module.
Hi'ialakai (R-334), Hawaiian for "embracing pathways to the sea". Hi'ialakai conducts coral reef
mapping and health studies as well as bio-analysis assessments and fish stock studies. Dive operations are required for the research and the ship carries up to six work boats and a three person, double-lock decompression chamber for that purpose.
Research vessel
A research vessel is a ship designed and equipped to carry out research at sea. Research vessels carry out a number of roles. Some of these roles can be combined into a single vessel, others require a dedicated vessel...
for the NOAA, but was originally commissioned as USS Vindicator, as a Stalwart class Modified Tactical Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance Ship for the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. Stalwart class ships were originally designed to collect underwater acoustical data in support of Cold war
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
operations in the 1980s.
US Navy
Vindicator was ordered September 26, 1980 as a Stalwart class Modified Tactical Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance Ship. She was laid down April 14, 1983 at Tacoma Boatbuilding, Tacoma, WashingtonTacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
and launched June 1, 1984. Acquired by the Military Sealift Command November 21, 1984 and used by the United States Navy for underwater surveillance until she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register June 30, 1993.
US Coast Guard
The ship was transferred to the United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
as USCGC Vindicator (WMEC-3) for counter narcotics operations. Based out of Norfolk, she served as a "mother ship" for 38-foot pursuit boats used to intercept drug smugglers. Budget cuts in early 2001 resulted in termination of the lease and return to the Military Sealift Command. At one point, Vindicator was under evaluation to be a test ship for a Marine Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell Demonstration Module.
NOAA
Ex-Vindicator is now NOAA R/VResearch vessel
A research vessel is a ship designed and equipped to carry out research at sea. Research vessels carry out a number of roles. Some of these roles can be combined into a single vessel, others require a dedicated vessel...
Hi'ialakai (R-334), Hawaiian for "embracing pathways to the sea". Hi'ialakai conducts coral reef
Coral reef
Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps...
mapping and health studies as well as bio-analysis assessments and fish stock studies. Dive operations are required for the research and the ship carries up to six work boats and a three person, double-lock decompression chamber for that purpose.