 The
two retrieval ships which perform the SRB recovery, the Liberty Star and
Freedom Star, are unique vessels specifically designed and constructed for
this task. Recovery Vessel (R/V) Freedom Star and R/V Liberty Star are
owned by NASA. They were built at Atlantic Marine Shipyard, Fort George
Island, near Jacksonville, Fla., in 1980 and 1981. The ships are 176 feet
(53.6 meters) in length, 37 feet (11.2 meters) in width, and draw about 12
feet (3.6 meters) of water. Each ship displaces 1,052 tons (957 metric
tons).
Each ship is propelled by two main engines
providing a total of 2,900 horsepower. The main engines turn two
seven-foot (2.1-meter) propellers with controllable pitch, which provides
greater response time and maneuverability. The ships also are equipped
with two thrusters. The stern thruster is a water jet system that allows
the ship to move in any direction without the use of propellers. This
system was installed to protect the endangered manatee population that
inhabits regions of the Banana River where the ships are based. The system
also allows divers to work near the ship during operations at a greatly
reduced risk.
Improvements have been made to the ships
since they first began service. In addition to controllable pitch
propellers, both vessels are now outfitted with highly precise Global
Positioning System (GPS) navigation equipment.
The ship’s complement includes a crew of
ten; a nine-person SRB retrieval team, a retrieval supervisor, a NASA
representative, and observers. The maximum complement is 24 persons.
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