Ex-USS Taylor Towed to Charleston for Conversion
Ex-USS Taylor (FFG-50) was towed 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.
The 33-year-old Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate was decommissioned at NS Mayport, Fla. in 2015, where it had been homeported since 1993.
During its service, Taylor, named for Cmdr. Jesse Taylor, a naval aviator who was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his heroism in the Vietnam War, 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 Maritime Corporation’s government services group was awarded the contract by VSE Corporation for the tow. Invader class tug Monitor connected to the former U.S. Navy ship 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.
A video of the towing operation is available here.
