Navy begins a salvage operation to preserve the USS Arizona

The U.S. Navy and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial have begun removing two World War II-era mooring platforms to preserve the USS Arizona.

After meticulous planning, analysis, preparation, and training, divers from the U.S. Navy’s Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1, advised by the Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving and supported by locally contracted salvors, are carefully extracting the aging concrete platforms from the Arizona’s hull.

“This salvage operation will help preserve the Arizona for generations to come and assist in the safety of the more than 1.7 million visitors the Pearl Harbor National Memorial receives annually,” said Rear Adm. Brad Collins,Navy Region Hawaiʻi commander. “The Navy is proud to partner with the memorial and private industry partners to protect the USS Arizona and the memorial.”

The battleship, sunk during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, is not only important to naval history and heritage but also serves as the final resting place for more than 900 sailors and Marines who died defending against the attack.

In the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack, the Navy installed two mooring platforms in 1942 to aid in salvaging the Pennsylvania-class battleship’s ammunition and armament for use in the ongoing war effort. After more than 80 years since the original salvage, the platforms remain attached to the ship, visible to the visitors who come to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial each year.

During a routine inspection on Oct. 26, 2023, park rangers reported one of the platforms had partially collapsed. Ultimately, the Navy decided that removing the platforms would prevent possible harm to the USS Arizona, its memorial, and the environment.

“The removal of the platforms will be conducted in a manner that respects the ship’s historic importance to the nation, its sacred war grave status, marine life, and the local community,” said Bill Manley, Navy Region Hawaiʻi environmental director. “The Navy is working deliberately with appropriate agencies throughout the process to ensure continued safety to the environment.”

While the operation takes place, the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center will remain open. However, the National Park Service suspended advanced reservations to the USS Arizona Memorial in preparation for the removal work to avoid canceling any tours.

The suspension of reservations began July 9. During removal work, there may be days when the operational schedule allows visits to the memorial. When that happens, tours will be on a first-come, first-served basis until the completion of the operation.

Once the mission is complete, the park will return to the normal reservation process, where reservations are released 56 days in advance and the day prior to each tour date.

U.S. Pacific Fleet directed the establishment of Task Force Arizona under Navy Region Hawaiʻi to accomplish the mission, while working closely with federal regulators, the state of Hawaiʻi, and key stakeholders to preserve and protect the USS Arizona and the memorial structure above.

The memorial, built in 1962, is accessible only by boat. It rests above the sunken remains of the battleship without touching it. Since 1980, the National Park Service has managed the memorial.

For more information about the USS Arizona, visit the National Park Service website.

Updates about the USS Arizona’s platforms will also be available on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service website.