Former Name:  USNS Tanner, TAGS-40

Namesake:  Capt Z.L. Tanner, USN, 1833 – 1906

Keel Laid:  22 September 1986

Launched:  28 August 1990

Former Power Plant:  (2) Medium Speed, reversing V-16 Cylinder Enterprise R-5 Diesel Engines

Former Horsepower:  25,000 shp

The USNS Tanner, TAGS-40, was built for the Navy as a Fast Oceanographic Research Vessel, surveying the ocean floor.  The vessel's power plant originally consisted of twin V-16 R-5 Enterprise Engines, capable of producing upwards of 25,000 shaft horsepower.  The two engines, propelled the ship at speeds greater than 25 knots!  After commissioning, 2 R-5 engines were derated about 8,000 hp each.  The USNS Maury, TAGS-39, also a Fast Oceanographic Research Vessel, is now renamed as the T.S. Golden Bear, at California Maritime Academy.  This vessel still runs the twin R-5 Diesels, and is capable of moving at speeds of 18 knots. 

The vessels 3 MaK Ship's Service Diesel Generators are original to the vessel, and provide the ship with close to 3 mega watts of electricity.

After serving the Navy for a few years, the vessel experienced an engine casualty.   The Port Main Engine suffered a destroyed crankshaft, that led to the vessel being laid up in the James River Reserve Fleet.   It lay idle until the mid 1990s, when the conversion occured.