Crowley's Invader class tug Monitor recently towed the 33-year-old, ex-USS Taylor (FFG-50) from Philadelphia Naval Shipyard to Detyens Shipyard in Charleston, S.C., where the vessel will be converted in preparation for delivery to the Taiwanese government as part of the U.S. foreign military sales program.
Taylor, named for Cmdr. Jesse Taylor, a naval aviator who was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his heroism in the Vietnam War, was decommissioned at NS Mayport, Florida in 2015, where it had been homeported since 1993. During its service, Taylor made six extended deployments: with NATO's standing Naval Force Atlantic in 1987, to the Arabian Gulf in 1988, in 1990 as part of Operations Desert Shield, in 1992 as part of Operation Southern Watch, in 1994 to the Mediterranean and Red Seas and in 1997 and 2002 with NATO's Standing Naval Force Mediterranean.
Crowley's government services group was awarded the contract by VSE Corporation for the tow, which marked the latest in Crowley’s rich history of ocean towing projects spanning over half a century. Monitor, connected to the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate by a series of tow ropes and chains, departed Philadelphia under the care and direction of her eight-man crew: Captain Steve Sears; Jermain Williams, chief mate; Steven Tonn, second mate; Deck Utility Men Mario Del Morante, Hubert Joseph, and Bob Woote; Yosluvy Baro-Laza, engine utility and Connor McDaniel, deck cadet.
Over the past 124 years, Crowley has developed a portfolio of services to support the U.S. government’s operations both domestically and abroad. The team is led by industry and military veterans who combine the technical and professional capabilities of the company to offer best-in-class operations, engineering, and contract management support. Crowley provides bundled vessel management solutions for Military Sealift Command; the Maritime Administration, as part of the Government's Ready Reserve Force (RRF) Program; and Naval Sea Systems Command. The group also provides other services including custodial services for vessels seized by U.S. government agencies; naval architecture and marine engineering; project management; specialized towing operations; specialty cargo moves; full transportation logistics; and a host of other offerings tailored specifically for the diverse needs of the government.
Source: Crowley