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Life in Sasebo video
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Commanding Officer
Doyle Hodges, LCDR

Executive Officer
E.N. Franks, LCDR

Senior Enlisted Leader
Panagsagan, Ernesto R ENCS(SW)

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U.S. NAVY
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PRIVACY POLICY

Forward deployed from Sasebo, Japan, the USS SAFEGUARD is the lead ship of the 'Rescue-Salvage' class of vessels owned by the U.S. Navy. The mission of these ships is fourfold:

. De-beaching of stranded vessels
. Heavy lifting from ocean depths
. Towing of other vessels
. Manned diving operations

For rescue missions, SAFEGUARD is equipped with three fire monitors forward and amidships that can deliver either aqueous film-forming foam or saltwater. The salvage holds of the ship are outfitted with portable equipment to effect assistance to vessels in dewatering, patching, the supply of electrical power, and many other essential services required to return a disabled ship to operating condition. Additionally, SAFEGUARD carries with it the finest diver life support air system in the fleet.

The rugged construction of this steel-hulled vessel, combined with her speed and endurance, make SAFEGUARD well suited for the rescue and salvage operations of Naval and commercial shipping throughout the world. The versatility of this class of ship adds immeasurably to the capabilities of the U.S. Navy with the regards to rendering assistance to those in peril on the high seas.