USNS Vindicator (T-AGOS-3)

NOAAS Hi'ialakai (R-334) is a research vessel for the NOAA, but was originally commissioned as USS Vindicator, as a Stalwart class Modified Tactical Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance Ship for the United States Navy. Stalwart class ships were originally designed to collect underwater acoustical data in support of Cold war anti-submarine warfare operations in the 1980s.

US Navy
Vindicator was ordered September 26, 1980 as a Stalwart class Modified Tactical Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance Ship. She was laid down April 14, 1983 at Tacoma Boatbuilding, Tacoma, Washington and launched June 1, 1984. Acquired by the Military Sealift Command November 21, 1984 and used by the United States Navy for underwater surveillance until she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register June 30, 1993.

US Coast Guard
The ship was transferred to the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Vindicator (WMEC-3) for counter narcotics operations. Based out of Norfolk, she served as a "mother ship" for 38-foot pursuit boats used to intercept drug smugglers. Budget cuts in early 2001 resulted in termination of the lease and return to the Military Sealift Command. At one point, Vindicator was under evaluation to be a test ship for a Marine Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell Demonstration Module.

NOAA
Ex-Vindicator is now NOAA R/V Hi'ialakai (R-334), Hawaiian for "embracing pathways to the sea". Hi'ialakai conducts coral reef mapping and health studies as well as bio-analysis assessments and fish stock studies. Dive operations are required for the research and the ship carries up to six work boats and a three person, double-lock decompression chamber for that purpose.