MSC transfers special mission ship to National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
Indomitable is currently being converted by NOAA to meet new mission requirements. Upon conversion, the ship will be deployed to provide ocean survey support services.
"We look forward to integrating Indomitable into the NOAA fleet within the next six months," said Rear Admiral Evelyn J. Fields, director of NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations and the NOAA Commissioned Corps. "The cooperation in transferring assets from the Navy to NOAA is not only helping us reduce the average age of our research fleet from about 32 years in 2002 to 27 years in 2003, it is enabling us to do the nation's marine research more cost effectively while prolonging the use of national assets."
During her 15-year service with MSC, Indomitable served as an ocean surveillance ship, as well as a support ship for the Atlantic Fleet Counter-Narcotics Program. She operated under the direction of MSC's Special Mission Program.
"Indomitable has played an integral role with MSC in the confiscation of billions of dollars of illegal narcotics, the capture of countless craft and airplanes, as well as numerous traffickers. She has had a major impact in combating drug trafficking to the shores and airports of
this country", said Nick Roy, MSC Special Mission Program T-AGOS project officer.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration conducts research and gathers data about the world's oceans, atmosphere and space. It applies this information to science and the service of the United States.
MSC is a Navy major command, and the Navy component of U.S. Transportation Command. MSC provides common-user and exclusive sealift transportation services to deploy, employ, sustain, and redeploy U.S. forces around the globe. The command provides sealift with a fleet of government-owned and chartered U.S. flag ships.