USNS Prevail (IX-537)

Evidence

15 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-15).

1. [1]research packet 377-packet.md (1 sources cited) [other_primary]

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Identity packet verdict: VERIFIED (via NVR-derived material; official NVR page itself unreachable).

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Evidence ID

   usns-prevail-ix537-pkt-377-packet-md

2. [2]Naval Vessel Register (NAVSEA), ship detail page PREVAIL (IX 537), data last updated 2012-05-09 - live page 403/JS-blocked to automated fetch; cited via Internet Archive Wayback capture 2017-01-07 [other_primary]

   Locator

   Wayback capture 2017-01-07 of https://www.nvr.navy.mil/SHIPDETAILS/SHIPSDETAIL_IX_537.HTML (page 'Last Updated: 05/09/2012')

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Naval Vessel Register detail page for PREVAIL (IX 537), ex-AGOS-8, Unclassified Miscellaneous: UIC 21284; status 'Active, in service' with date status changed 10/17/2003; builder Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc.; award date 02/13/1981; keel 03/13/1985; launch 12/07/1985; delivery 03/04/1986; overall length 224 ft, extreme beam 43 ft, waterline length 204 ft, max navigational draft 15 ft, draft limit 16 ft; light displacement 1,565 tons, full 2,535 tons, deadweight 970 tons; steel hull, steel superstructure; propulsion type diesel-electric, 2 propellers; accommodations 7 officers + 13 enlisted; custodian Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic; planning yard Puget Sound NSY, Bremerton, WA; commission, decommission, inactivation, and stricken fields blank.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-29

   Study period

   1981-2012 (page data as of 2012)

   Limitations

   Official U.S. Navy registry data for this hull, but the captured page's data was last updated 2012-05-09; the live nvr.navy.mil detail page renders via script and returns 403 to automated fetch, so post-2012 register edits (homeport, custodian changes) are not reflected. Contains no asbestos, materials, or condition information; supports no asbestos claim.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-usns-prevail-ix537-01

3. [3]NavSource Naval History, Service Ship Photo Archive: Prevail (IX-537) / TSV-1, page 096608 (compiled from official sources incl. NVR data and DoD photo captions; last updated 2022-04-22) [other_primary]

   Locator

   NavSource page 096608, chronology block, spec block, and photo-caption table

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   NavSource Ocean Surveillance Ship (AGOS) photo-archive entry consolidates the designation chain for this single hull: 'Prevail (IX-537) - Training Support Vessel (TSV-1) ex USNS Prevail (T-AGOS-8) (1986 - 2003)'; laid down 13 March 1985 at Tacoma Boat Building Co., Tacoma, WA; launched 7 December 1985; delivered to the Navy 4 March 1986, assigned to Military Sealift Command and placed in service as USNS Prevail (T-AGOS-8); reclassified Miscellaneous Unclassified IX-537 on 17 October 2003; call sign NYRW; National Defense Service Medal ribbon; spec block complement 18 civilian mariners + 15 Navy, propulsion 'diesel-electric, two shafts, 1,600hp'; DoD/Navy photo captions document the ship underway in the Atlantic 1986-11-14 (DN-SC-87-01348) and in TSV-1 training roles through 2017; page states 'There is no DANFS history available for Prevail (T-AGOS-8) at the US Naval Historical Center.'

   Verification

   partial

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-29

   Study period

   1985-2022

   Limitations

   NavSource is a volunteer-compiled naval-history reference, not an official source; its milestone dates agree with the official NVR entry (ev-01) and it reproduces official photo captions, but the 1,600-hp propulsion figure and the 18+15 complement are NavSource-only printings. Contains no asbestos information.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-usns-prevail-ix537-02

4. [4]Carrier Strike Group Four (U.S. Navy, official), 'At the Heart of Atlantic Fleet Training: TSVRON 4,' Naval Station Norfolk, 29 May 2025 - quotes TSVRON 4 Program Manager Wayne Gittelman [other_primary]

   Locator

   CSG-4 news article, 'Humble Beginnings & Steady Progress' section

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Official Carrier Strike Group 4 history of Training Support Vessel Squadron 4 (2025-05-29): the ship was 'a surplus T-AGOS 8 asset that was being made ready for disposal' when Carrier Group 4 personnel obtained it; 'they got the Prevail and took it to Colonnas Shipyard under a SUP SHIP [Supervisor of Shipbuilding] contract and decided to build it out with all kinds of electronic components on it to make the range work.' In 2005 Fleet Forces Command directed Strike Force Training Atlantic to establish the Mobile Sea Range Program, consolidating the training support vessels then operated by Norfolk Naval Shipyard and NAVAIR; 'Beginning with Prevail (TSV 1), the program grew in capacity to four ships - Prevail, Hugo (TSV 2), Hunter (TSV 3), and Narragansett (TSV 4)'; renamed TSVRON 4 in 2015; described as a 70-person team of four vessels with all-civilian crews supporting Atlantic Fleet FRTP training including VBSS/maritime interdiction, live-fire, and mine-laying/recovery events.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-29

   Study period

   2003-2025

   Population

   TSV civilian mariners; fleet sailors embarked for training serials

   Limitations

   Official Navy source documenting the 2003 diversion from disposal, the Colonna's Shipyard conversion under a SUPSHIP contract, and the ship's continuing TSV-1 role. Names the conversion yard but contains no asbestos, insulation, hazmat, or materials-scope statement; supports no asbestos claim.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-usns-prevail-ix537-03

5. [5]Naval History and Heritage Command, ship Command Operations Reports: USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG-49) 2004; USS Carr (FFG-52) 2008 [nhhc_danfs]

   Locator

   Carr FFG-52 2008 COR, section 3 Chronology (29 Jul 08 entry); Robert G. Bradley FFG-49 2004 COR narrative (VACAPES MIO entry) - https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/archives/command-operation-reports/ship-command-operation-reports/r/robert-g-bradley-ffg-49-i/pdf/2004.pdf

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   NHHC ship command operations reports document the hull in fleet-training service: USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG-49) 2004 COR - 'Upon arrival in VACAPES RGB participated in: MIO Training with TSV-1 PREVAIL, Plane guard operations with USS GEORGE WASHINGTON'; USS Carr (FFG-52) 2008 COR chronology, 29 Jul 08 - 'Towing Exercise with USNS PREVAIL (TSV 1)' during JTFEX 08-4 in the Virginia Capes.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-29

   Study period

   2004, 2008

   Population

   Fleet units training with TSV-1 (Robert G. Bradley, Carr)

   Limitations

   Contemporaneous official command records confirming TSV-1 employment in 2004 and 2008. Operational-mention documents only; they contain no materials, asbestos, or condition information.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-usns-prevail-ix537-04

6. [6]SAM.gov contract opportunity record, USNS PREVAIL (TSV-1) DPMA, presolicitation notice (U.S. government procurement record) [other_primary]

   Locator

   Contract opportunity page, General Information / Description / history chain

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   SAM.gov contract opportunity 'USNS PREVAIL (TSV-1) DPMA' (presolicitation originally published 2018-09-20, updated through 2018-11-30 solicitation action): a drydocking phased maintenance availability for the hull, NAICS 336611 Ship Building and Repairing, product service code J (maintenance/repair/rebuild), total small business set-aside, place of performance 'Homeport Area NORFOLK, VA 23707,' administered by Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) with ship checks at the vessel.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-29

   Study period

   2018-2019 (availability window)

   Population

   Ship repair workers (Norfolk-area private yard); TSV crew

   Limitations

   Official procurement record establishing Norfolk homeport area and recurring depot maintenance of the hull. The work-item specification package is distributed on CD/DVD by request and was not retrieved; whether the availability touched insulation materials or included hazmat scope is unknown. Supports no asbestos claim.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-usns-prevail-ix537-05

7. [7]U.S. Navy Fact File, 'Ocean Surveillance Ships - T-AGOS' (navy.mil, last updated 2021-10-13) [other_primary]

   Locator

   Fact file Description/Features/Background sections

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Official Navy fact file for ocean surveillance ships: T-AGOS ships 'gather underwater acoustical data' using Surveillance Towed-Array Sensor System (SURTASS) equipment, transmit data via satellite to shore stations, are operated by Military Sealift Command for Atlantic and Pacific Fleet anti-submarine-warfare commanders, and are 'operated and maintained by civilian contractors for the Military Sealift Command.' Establishes the mission and operating arrangement for this hull's 1986-2003 surveillance period.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   class_or_era

   Accessed

   2026-09-29

   Study period

   Class mission era 1984-present; this hull 1986-2003

   Population

   MSC civil-service and contract mariners (class context)

   Limitations

   Class-level mission description; the fact file's current spec tables cover only the Victorious and Impeccable classes and do not list Stalwart-class particulars. Contains no asbestos information.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-usns-prevail-ix537-06

8. [8]U.S. GAO decision B-200692.2, Sep 1, 1987, 66 Comp.Gen. 625 - 'Matter of: T-AGOS reprocurement / FY82 SCN fund availability' (NAVSEA request) [gao]

   Locator

   GAO product page, decision text Background/Discussion sections

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   GAO Comptroller General decision B-200692.2 (66 Comp. Gen. 625, Sep 1, 1987) documents the construction program this hull was built under: 'In September 1980, the Navy entered into a contract with the Tacoma Boatbuilding Company (Tacoma) for 12 Ocean Surveillance Ships (T AGOS). After partially performing the contract, Tacoma began to have cash flow problems. Because of its cash flow problems on the T-AGOS contract and others, Tacoma filed for reorganization under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Act in September 1985. At that time, it had delivered six of the 12 ships contracted for.' A Navy modification signed March 27, 1986 let Tacoma liquidate its performance bond and reduced the contract from 12 to 10 ships; GAO held the deleted ships' reprocurement chargeable to then-current SCN appropriations. Prevail (T-AGOS-8) was delivered 1986-03-04 - inside the builder's Chapter 11 window, three weeks before the contract reduction.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   class_or_era

   Accessed

   2026-09-29

   Study period

   1980-1987

   Population

   Tacoma Boatbuilding trades (1980-1986 program)

   Limitations

   The decision addresses the 12-ship T-AGOS contract generally and does not name this hull; Prevail's delivery date (from NVR) places its delivery inside the documented bankruptcy window, and which hulls were 'deleted' is identified at contract level only. Construction-disruption context, not a materials or asbestos record.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-usns-prevail-ix537-07

9. [9]29 CFR 1915.1001 - Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Shipyard Employment, Asbestos; definition of 'Presumed asbestos containing material,' paragraph (b) [other_primary]

   Locator

   29 CFR 1915.1001(b) definitions (eCFR current text)

   Finding type

   regulatory

   Finding

   Federal regulatory context bearing on era inference for this hull: OSHA's shipyard-employment asbestos standard defines presumed asbestos-containing material as 'thermal system insulation and surfacing material found in buildings, vessels, and vessel sections constructed no later than 1980' (29 CFR 1915.1001(b), definition of 'Presumed asbestos containing material'). This vessel was constructed in 1985-1986 - after the 1980 cutoff - so its thermal system insulation and surfacing material are not PACM by definition under the shipyard standard.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   context_only

   Accessed

   2026-09-29

   Study period

   Standard current; hull construction 1985-1986

   Limitations

   The PACM definition governs employer duties in shipyard work; it presumes ACM only for thermal system insulation and surfacing material in pre-1981 construction, and says nothing about other product categories (gaskets, packing, brake linings, floor tile, cement) in any vessel of any era. Post-1980 construction is therefore not proof of asbestos absence aboard this hull - it is an era-context boundary on the strongest inference pathway only.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-usns-prevail-ix537-08

10. [10]GAO HRD-80-2, 'Navy Efforts To Protect Workers From Asbestos Exposure,' published 1979-10-18 (product-page summary plus indexed full text) [gao]

    Locator

    GAO product page Highlights; quoted phrases from indexed report text (full PDF returns HTTP 403 to automated fetch - standing defect per BATCH-01-REPORT)

    Finding type

    gov_survey

    Finding

    GAO's review of Navy asbestos protection efforts (HRD-80-2, Oct 18, 1979) bounds the era this hull was built in: the Navy's 1975 policy was to remove and replace with nonasbestos materials only insulation that was damaged or had to be removed for repairs, modified in January 1979 to also selectively replace asbestos insulation in high-maintenance areas; the Navy reported that although asbestos thermal insulation had been eliminated from new construction, some ships were delivered with asbestos insulation 'as late as May 1978,' 'a few shipboard applications for which no acceptable substitute asbestos-free materials have been identified' remained, and 'recently constructed Navy ships have little or no asbestos thermal insulation.' A hull delivered in 1986 postdates the documented end of asbestos thermal insulation in new construction.

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    context

    Documentation level

    context_only

    Accessed

    2026-09-29

    Study period

    Report 1979; policies described 1975-1979; hull built 1985-1986

    Population

    Navy shipyard workers (Long Beach and Norfolk NSY fieldwork sites)

    Limitations

    Program-level report on Navy asbestos policy circa 1975-1979; does not name this vessel, its class, or its builder. 'Little or no asbestos thermal insulation' in recently constructed ships is the Navy's 1979-era characterization, not a survey of this hull; residual non-thermal-insulation applications are acknowledged but unspecified. Full PDF text blocked (403) - quotes verified against indexed text and product-page summary.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-usns-prevail-ix537-09

11. [11]Batch-4843 search ledger (this record): NVR, NHHC/DANFS, NHHC command operations reports, navy.mil fact files, SAM.gov, GAO, eCFR, NavSource, MARAD, CourtListener [other_primary]

    Locator

    search_ledger rows sl-usns-prevail-ix537-01 through sl-usns-prevail-ix537-13

    Finding type

    historical_record

    Finding

    No qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located for this hull under any designation (T-AGOS-8, IX-537, TSV-1): no asbestos survey, abatement contract, hazmat disclosure, material specification, or docketed case naming this vessel was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger). The 2003 Colonna's Shipyard conversion and recurring Norfolk-area maintenance availabilities (e.g., the 2018 DPMA) are documented events, but their public records contain no asbestos or hazmat scope.

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    negative_finding

    Documentation level

    ship_specific

    Accessed

    2026-09-29

    Study period

    2026-09-29

    Limitations

    Absence of a located public record does not prove absence of asbestos aboard - it documents only that no public record names it. Era context (post-1980 construction, diesel-electric plant) lowers the expected scope relative to steam-era hulls but does not establish zero asbestos; the conversion and maintenance records that could hold hull-level material data are not public.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-usns-prevail-ix537-10

12. [12]NHHC Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, 'Prevail' entry (covers AM-107/AGS-20 only) [nhhc_danfs]

    Locator

    DANFS P-section, Prevail (AM-107) full entry; confirmed absence of a T-AGOS-8/IX-537 entry

    Finding type

    vessel_history

    Finding

    Name-collision boundary for this record: the NHHC DANFS 'Prevail' entry covers only the FIRST ship of the name - USS Prevail (AM-107), an Auk-class minesweeper built by Pennsylvania Shipyards Inc., Beaumont, Tex. (laid down 1941-11-15, launched 1942-09-13, commissioned 1943-04-17), WWII veteran of Salerno, Anzio, Operation Dragoon, and Okinawa (6 battle stars), decommissioned 1946-05-31, recommissioned 1952-04-01 and reclassified AGS-20 survey ship, stricken 1964-01-10, sold to Union Minerals and Alloys Corp. 1964-10-13. No DANFS entry exists for T-AGOS-8/IX-537. The 1943 Auk-class hull is a different ship with a materially different (steam-era, combat) exposure profile; name-only matches must be hull-resolved before attribution.

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    context

    Documentation level

    ship_specific

    Accessed

    2026-09-29

    Study period

    1941-1964 (AM-107) vs 1985-present (this hull)

    Limitations

    Identity boundary only. The DANFS entry's silence on the 1986 hull is consistent with NavSource's note that no DANFS history exists for T-AGOS-8; this row documents the collision risk, not any asbestos fact about either hull.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-usns-prevail-ix537-11

13. [13]CourtListener opinion cluster 4714052 - Colonna's Shipyard, Inc. v. United States, No. 19-1373C (Fed. Cl. Jan. 21, 2020) [court_record]

    Locator

    Opinion at ECF level; 'Prevail Contract' discussion in Background section; syllabus records partial grant of motion to dismiss

    Finding type

    litigation_documented

    Finding

    CourtListener authenticated sweep 2026-09-29. Completed: (a) 'USNS Prevail' opinions = ONE hit - Colonna's Shipyard, Inc. v. United States, No. 19-1373C (Ct. Fed. Cl., opinion filed 2020-01-21), classified OTHER LITIGATION: post-award bid protest over Navy contract N50054-19-R-0004 (awarded 2019-01-29) for 'dry-dock phased maintenance of the USNS Prevail' - the same 2018-19 DPMA procurement posted on SAM.gov (ev-05); RCFC 12(b)(1) motion to dismiss granted in part (Counts I, II, IV dismissed without prejudice) and denied in part (Count III); no asbestos or exposure content; sibling dockets 19-836C and 19-972C are the same procurement family (voluntarily dismissed 2019-07-11). 'USNS Prevail' RECAP docket index = ONE hit, the same case (No. 1:19-cv-01373, PACER 39602, 'Contract - (Post Award) Injunction' under the Tucker Act, filed 2019-09-10, terminated 2020-06-04) - no other docketed case names the vessel. (b) 'T-AGOS-8' opinions = ZERO hits; 'IX-537' opinions = ZERO hits. (c) 'Prevail' + asbestos opinions = 3,473 hits, all name-collision noise on the verb 'prevail' ('prevail on the merits') - reviewed top results, none vessel-related. (d) 'Tacoma Boatbuilding' + asbestos opinions = ONE hit: In re Johns-Manville Corp., 97 B.R. 174 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1989) - citation-chain match only (opinion cites In re Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., 81 B.R. 248 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1987), the builder's own Chapter 11 docket; no asbestos claim against the yard). Not completed under fleet pacing: 'aboard Prevail' - logged as coverage limitation in search_ledger.

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    negative_finding

    Documentation level

    ship_specific

    Accessed

    2026-09-29

    Study period

    2018-2020 (procurement litigation)

    Population

    Ship-repair contractor workforce context (Colonna's Shipyard protest; Prevail DPMA award)

    Limitations

    The single litigation hit is a procurement dispute over maintenance OF this hull - it incidentally confirms the Navy's dry-dock maintenance program for the vessel but contains no asbestos or exposure allegation. Classified at its actual stage (pleading-phase 12(b)(1) disposition), and per the staged-litigation rule it is not exposure evidence. Hull-number and asbestos-joined queries did not complete under fleet pacing - their absence is a coverage limitation, not an adjudicated negative.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-usns-prevail-ix537-12

14. [14]ICES Platform Codes / NERC Vocabulary Server, SDN:C17::31PR 'Prevail' (international platform registry) [other_primary]

    Locator

    vocab.nerc.ac.uk C17 collection entry 31PR, current version 4

    Finding type

    vessel_history

    Finding

    ICES/NERC platform-vocabulary entry for 'Prevail' corroborates identity for this hull: 'Built as a Stalwart class ocean surveillance ship (T-AGOS 8) and converted into a training support vessel in 2003. Initially designated IX 537 in this role, but this was changed to TSV 1.' - pennant TSV 1, callsign NYRW, IMO 8835566, title USNS.

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    supporting

    Documentation level

    ship_specific

    Accessed

    2026-09-29

    Study period

    Registry current; covers 1986-present

    Limitations

    Registry corroboration of identifiers (IMO, callsign, designation chain) only; not a U.S. official source and contains no service, materials, or asbestos information.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-usns-prevail-ix537-13

15. [15]Record-system mapping only: NAVSEA/SUPSHIP/MARMC contract and work-package records; NHHC Command Operations Report collection (ship files) [other_primary]

    Locator

    NHHC COR collection index; GAO B-200692.2 as the pointer to the T-AGOS contract file

    Finding type

    historical_record

    Finding

    Archival leads (not retrieved): (a) NAVSEA acquisition files for the September 1980 twelve-ship T-AGOS contract and the March 27, 1986 modification - the GAO decision (ev-07) documents them at decision level; the underlying contract/specification material would be in Navy acquisition records. (b) The 2003-2004 SUPSHIP conversion work package for the Colonna's Shipyard build-out and MARMC maintenance work packages (cf. ev-05) - the plausible repositories for any hull-level materials/hazmat documentation. (c) NHHC ship command-operations-report collections for any Prevail-filed reports during T-AGOS/TSV service (CORs for other ships mentioning the vessel were located; a Prevail COR file itself was not). None of these has been retrieved; existence of asbestos-specific documentation within them is unknown.

    Verification

    unverified

    Role

    archival_lead

    Documentation level

    context_only

    Accessed

    2026-09-29

    Study period

    1980-present records

    Limitations

    Repository mapping only - no box-level or package-level retrieval performed (no spend authorized). Nothing in this row is an asbestos finding; whether any of these files contain materials data for this hull is unknown.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-usns-prevail-ix537-14