The following information is from Volume 3: 'Appendix O - NASA Search, Recovery and Reconstruction Task Force Team Report' from the 'Report of the PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident' (The Rogers Report)
Table 1. Search and Salvage Vessel Assets and Capabilities (Summarised)
| Ship | Dates Used | Comments |
|
UTC Freedom Star (NASA) |
2/8/86 - Present |
None |
|
UTC Liberty Star (NASA) |
2/8/86 - Present |
None |
|
UTC Independence (NASA) |
2/8/86 - Present |
Unmanned ROV |
|
LCU-Range Boat (USAF) |
2/8/86 - 4/7/86 |
Range Salvage Vessel, C115-1925 |
|
USS Preserver (US Navy) |
2/8/86 - 4/11/86 |
22 Divers |
|
USS Opportune (US Navy) |
4/5/86 - Present |
22 Divers |
|
USS Sunbird (US Navy) |
2/20/86 - 3/18/86 & |
NR-1 Support |
|
NR-1 Research Submarine (US Navy) |
2/20/86 - 3/18/86 & |
Wide Search Area |
|
USS Kittiwake (US Navy) |
4/11/86 - 4/22/86 |
24 Divers |
|
MSV Stena Workhorse (SUPSALV) |
2/28/86 - 5/1/86 |
Unmanned ROV Gemini |
|
Seward Johnson (SUPSALV) |
2/21/86 - 4/19/86 |
Operates the Johnson Sea-Link 2 |
|
Edwin Link (SUPSALV) |
3/27/86 - 5/1/86 |
Operates the Johnson Sea-Link 1 |
|
R/V G.W. Pierce II (SUPSALV) |
2/25/86 - 4/19/86 |
12 Divers |
|
R/V Paul Langevin III (SUPSALV) |
3/13/86 - Present |
None |
|
Eliminator (SUPSALV) |
Not Mentioned |
Support Craft for Personnel and Cargo X-fer |
|
Pelican Princess (SUPSALV) |
Not Mentioned |
Support Craft for Personnel and Cargo X-fer |
Notes:
1) The report documents events through May 1, 1986 when deep water salvage operations were terminated and supporting assets demobilized. Salvage operations involving the recovery of high-interest debris in shallow water areas were ongoing.
2) The report concentrates on the salvage of major parts in order to determine the cause of the accident. It therefore does not list any US Coast Guard asserts. It also does not list Navy asserts that were not involved in deep water salvage operations.
3) SUPSALV is the The U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage.
Return