PASCAGOULA, Miss. — (February 28, 2026) – Bollinger Shipyards (“Bollinger”), a leading designer and builder of high-performance military and commercial vessels, today hosted the christening ceremony for the USNS Robert Ballard (T-AGS 67), a Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ship, at Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The ceremony marks a significant milestone in the vessel’s construction and honors the legacy of world-renowned oceanographer and explorer Dr. Robert Ballard, one of the most celebrated figures in the history of oceanography. Mrs. Barbara Earle Ballard served as the ship’s sponsor, christening the vessel by breaking a bottle of champagne across its bow in one of the Navy’s most time-honored maritime traditions.
“Today is a proud day for Bollinger Shipyards and the skilled men and women whose skill and dedication brought her to life,” said Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “The USNS Robert Ballard will go to sea ready to do consequential work. She and her crew are tasked with understanding the undersea environment, supporting our fleet, and advancing the Navy’s mission. It is only fitting that a United States Navy ship defined by capability, access, and awareness now carries Dr. Ballard’s name and legacy into service.”
The christening ceremony was attended by Navy and government leaders, members of the Bollinger workforce, and the Ballard family. Among those in attendance were U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS) and Sheldon Whitehouse (RI); former Secretaries of the Navy The Honorable John Lehman and The Honorable Carlos Del Toro; Rear Admiral Benjamin Nicholson, Commander, Military Sealift Command; Rear Admiral Erin Acosta, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command; Rear Admiral Brian Metcalf, Program Executive Officer, Ships; and Captain Randy Slaff, Supervisor of Shipbuilding Gulf Coast.
The USNS Robert Ballard is a state-of-the-art platform built to conduct acoustic, biological, physical, and geophysical surveys, providing critical oceanographic data that directly enhances the operational effectiveness of the U.S. Navy. Measuring more than 350 feet in length with an overall beam of 58 feet, the vessel is equipped with a moon pool for unmanned vehicle deployment and retrieval, enabling a wide range of multi-mission operations. Upon delivery, USNS Robert Ballard will be operated by the Military Sealift Command.
“Oceanographic survey ships are a strategic necessity,” Bordelon added. “They help us understand the undersea environment, map what’s unseen, and give our fleet the information it needs to operate with confidence and advantage. Every weld, every panel, every bolt on this ship reflects the Bollinger Standard, which is our unwavering commitment to American craftsmanship, American workers, and American strength.”
Since Bollinger’s acquisition of the Pascagoula facility, the shipyard has undergone significant transformation, including a 61% growth in its Mississippi workforce, as Bollinger has deepened its commitment to the U.S. Navy’s shipbuilding mission. The yard currently builds the T-AGS and APL programs for the U.S. Navy, as well as the Polar Security Cutter for the U.S. Coast Guard.
“Bollinger has deep roots in America’s Gulf Coast, and Pascagoula is a big part of that story,” said Bordelon. “The men and women who built this ship live in this community and invest in this region’s future every single day. When this vessel leaves the yard, a piece of Pascagoula goes with her.”
The vessel is named in honor of Dr. Robert Ballard, a retired U.S. Navy Commander, University of Rhode Island professor, and president and founder of the Ocean Exploration Trust. Dr. Ballard is best known for his 1985 discovery of the RMS Titanic, as well as landmark expeditions that located the USS Yorktown, USS Quincy, and President Kennedy’s PT-109. His pioneering development of remotely operated vehicle technology has transformed deep-sea exploration and inspired generations of oceanographers, scientists, and explorers.
ABOUT BOLLINGER SHIPYARDS
Bollinger Shipyards (www.bollingershipyards.com) has a 80-year legacy as a leading designer and builder of high-performance military patrol boats and salvage vessels, research vessels, ocean-going double hull barges, offshore oil field support vessels, tugboats, rigs, lift boats, inland waterways push boats, barges, and other steel and aluminum products from its new construction shipyards as part of the U. S. industrial base. Bollinger has 13 facilities, all strategically located throughout Louisiana and Mississippi with direct access to the Gulf of America, the Mississippi River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Bollinger is the largest vessel repair company in the Gulf of America region.
ABOUT THE PATHFINDER-CLASS OCEANOGRAPHIC SURVEY SHIP
Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ships are among the most advanced platforms in the U.S. Navy’s fleet for gathering critical maritime environmental data. These vessels conduct hydrographic surveys and collect oceanographic and acoustic data that directly support submarine operations, anti-submarine warfare, and naval planning. Using multi-beam, wide-angle precision sonar systems, Pathfinder-class ships have helped chart three-quarters of the world’s coastlines. T-AGS 67 will be operated by Military Sealift Command and crewed by civilian mariners.
ABOUT DR. ROBERT BALLARD
Dr. Robert Ballard is a retired U.S. Navy Commander, professor at the University of Rhode Island, and president and founder of the Ocean Exploration Trust. He is widely recognized as one of the world’s foremost ocean explorers, best known for his 1985 discovery of the RMS Titanic. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Dr. Ballard has led more than 155 deep-sea expeditions and is credited with pioneering the use of remotely operated vehicles for underwater exploration. He began his first oceanographic cruise at the age of 17 in 1959, and the U.S. Navy has played a central role in his career ever since. His legacy of exploration, education, and scientific discovery makes him a fitting namesake for a vessel dedicated to advancing the Navy’s understanding of the world’s oceans.