Eleventh Ship Departs For Recycling in Texas

The Florikan (ASR-9), originally the USS Florikan, was a submarine rescue ship built in 1942 by the Moore Dry Dock Company in Oakland, California. Built for the U.S. Navy during World War II, it served primarily in the Pacific theatre training crews in submarine rescue operations. The Florikan was cleaned on drydock of marine growth and loose exterior paint and is scheduled to depart San Francisco today for recycling in Texas.

The Florikan is the eleventh ship to leave the fleet since October 22, 2009, when the Obama Administration announced an effort to improve the surrounding environment and clean up the Fleet after years of neglect.

The vessel was struck from the Naval Register in 1991, entered the National Defense Reserve Fleet in Suisun Bay, California in 2000, and the name was subsequently changed to Florikan.

WHAT: WWII-Era Ship Departure - Florikan

WHEN:Tuesday, August 10, 2010, approximately 10AM
(Please be advised that departure dates and times are subject to change and are dependent on weather and other conditions.)

WHERE: San Francisco, Calif.

Future vessels scheduled for departure from Suisun Bay include the American Racer on approximately September 24, American Reliance on approximately September 30, Hess on approximately October 8, Bay on approximately October 13, and Dawn on approximately January 5, 2011.