USS Ortolan (ASR-22)

USS Ortolan (ASR-22), a twin-hulled submarine rescue ship, was laid down 28 August 1968 by the Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company, Mobile, Alabama; launched 10 September 1969; sponsored by Mrs. Nels C. Johnson; and was commissioned on 14 July 1973.

Ortolan was designed to operate Mystic class deep submergence rescue vehicles, and was the second and final vessel of the Pigeon-class submarine rescue ship built by the U.S. Navy.

She was decommissioned on 30 March 1995 and was berthed at the James River Reserve Fleet at Fort Eustis, Virginia, awaiting final determination for method of disposal.

On 3 July 2009, the Ortolan was awarded as part of a recycling contract to Esco Marine of Brownsville, Texas. The Ortolan departed the James River Reserve Fleet at 9:50 am on 20 July for recycling.