USD Ortolan (ASR-22)

• USS Ortolan (ASR-22) was a twin-hulled submarine rescue ship built for the United States Navy, specifically designed to support deep submergence rescue operations. • The Ortolan was constructed by the Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company in Mobile, Alabama, with her keel laid down on August 28, 1968, and launched on September 10, 1969. • She was commissioned into service on July 14, 1973, and served as one of only two ships of her class, the other being USS Pigeon (ASR-21). • The Ortolan was specially designed to operate the Navy’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRV), which could perform rescue missions for submarines stranded on the ocean floor. • Her twin-hull (catamaran) design provided an exceptionally stable platform for deep-sea rescue operations, essential for launching and recovering submersibles in rough seas. • USS Ortolan was equipped with the McCann Rescue Chamber and advanced diving systems, allowing her to support both manned and unmanned submarine rescue missions. • She played a critical role in submarine rescue exercises throughout the Cold War, helping to ensure the safety of the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet during an era of heightened undersea activity. • Ortolan was present during several high-profile submarine emergencies and participated in international rescue exercises, strengthening cooperation with allied navies. • After nearly 24 years of service, Ortolan was decommissioned on March 30, 1995, following the end of the Cold War and the reduced need for specialized submarine rescue ships. • USS Ortolan was eventually struck from the Naval Vessel Register and sold for scrapping in 2009, marking the end of an era for dedicated U.S. Navy submarine rescue vessels.