Christening of USNS ROBERT BALLARD (T-AGS 67)

The oceanographic community celebrated the life of its most famous icon as the final ship of the PATHFINDER Oceanographic Survey Ship Series was christened on February 28, 2026, at Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding’s facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Sponsor Barbara Earle Ballard, wife of the namesake, christened her ship under a blue gulf coast sky to the delight of hundreds of family members, friends and co-workers who rode over the sea and under it with Dr. Ballard in his quest to expand human understanding of the very deep. As one family member said, “Bob collects people”, evidenced by the extensive group of attendees who Dr. Ballard recruited, mentored and encouraged throughout their careers in Oceanography and Hydrology.

The ship honors Dr. Robert Ballard, a retired U.S. Navy commander, professor of oceanography at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, and National Geographic Explorer at Large. Dr. Ballard began his interest in the ocean when learning about Captain Nemo and the Nautilus as a young boy. After receiving his undergraduate degree in chemistry and geology, he began his graduate work in geophysics and then a PhD in marine geology.

Originally commissioned as an Army intelligence officer in the Reserves, he transferred to the Navy while on assignment coordinating Research at Woods Hole, Massachusetts. His career combined his love of adventurous exploration with serious scientific research and, along with teams of scientists he recruited and trained, led to a string of discoveries over each decade. Any one of these discoveries by itself would qualify him as one of the world’s most significant explorers of the sea. The totality of his work is singular in its breadth and impact. While the discovery and documentation of RMS Titanic is his most widely known discovery, it was actually revealed decades later that the mission was a cover for a top-secret cold war quest to find the remains of two US nuclear submarines sunk in the north Atlantic (THRESHER and SCORPIAN).

Dr. Ballard’s scientific discoveries were many but the most important was the discovery of hydrothermal vents and “black-smokers” which provided energy for life forms at depths where life was considered impossible due to the absence of light. He worked closely with the Navy in trying to understand how undersea warfare, equipped with superior knowledge of the topography and chemistry of the floor of the ocean, could lead to military advantage. He continued his undersea archeological explorations finding PT 109, the Bismarck, Lusitania, Yorktown and ancient sunken ships in the Black Sea dating as far back as 150 AD. The popularity of his work led to an explosion in interest in the physical sciences and oceanography. Dr. Ballard, realizing this, founded the Jason Project, to encourage and educate middle school children in pursuit of their interest in oceanography and scientific exploration.

Barbara Earle Ballard, the Ship Sponsor has had a long career in creative media production and business management. She has produced public affairs programming at PBS, as well as other companies before joining the National Geographic Society, spearheading the expansion of the Television Division. She co-founded Odyssey Enterprises in 1990 serving as its President. In 1991, she married Robert Ballard and she has two children. Her daughter and Ship Maid of Honor Emily has taken up her mother’s love of storytelling and currently is pursuing a graduate degree in film editing in the UK. She and her brother Ben have spent summers on oceanographic voyages with their father. Dr. Ballard has one living son, Doug, from a previous marriage. All three children joyously celebrated the christening of their father’s namesake ship.

Catherine A. Offinger, the Matron of Honor, has worked with Dr. Ballard for over fifty years. She was the first person hired by Robert Ballard. Her duties ranged from navigation, photo development, to overall expedition operations manager. Catherine has logged over 80 research expeditions, the most recent in 2025 in the Solomon Islands to explore the sites from the Battle of Guadalcanal.

On Friday morning, February 27th, a ceremonial Mast Stepping was attended by a group of military and civilian dignitaries, Bollinger Shipbuilding executives and Ballard family and friends. Challenge coins, actual circulated coins from the Solomon Islands, and mementos highlighting the Military Sealift Command and the world of undersea research were placed in the metal box.

The Society of Ship Sponsors of the United States Navy President Ann Zumwalt placed a memento commemorating her family’s meeting with Dr. Ballard at Woods Hole thirty-five years ago. Finally, Dr. Ballard and Sponsor Barbara Earle Ballard were presented with a Makau to be placed in the Mast Stepping Metal box which had been hand carved in the traditional manner from bone by a renowned Hawaiian artist. The Makau is an ancient Hawaiian fishhook symbol representing good luck, prosperity, abundance, and safe passage over water. It symbolizes strength, respect for the ocean, and the legend of the demigod Maui using his hook to pull the islands from the sea.

On Friday evening, the Sponsor and Namesake and their families, friends and VIPS were treated to a banquet hosted by Bollinger at the Grand Magnolia Ballroom. Also in attendance was the former Secretary of the Navy, Carlos DelToro, who named the ship and her Sponsor. Barbara Earle Ballard capped off the evening by presenting the ship with an exact replica of the ship’s bell from the USS BALLARD (DD 267). Originally Christened in 1918, BALLARD was reactivated in WWII to serve as a seaplane tender (AVD-10), participating in support of the Battle of Midway and providing rescue to airmen and their planes throughout the Pacific theater. She famously rescued 35 Japanese seamen who had floated adrift for 9 days following the sinking of their carrier Hiryu. In 1942, she rescued 2 of the 10 survivors of the USS Juneau sinking. That sinking resulted in the loss of the five Sullivan Brothers.

The Christening events began at 10 AM with all marveling at the beautiful weather. After rendering of honors by NMCB 133 Color Guard to Mississippi Lt. Governor Delbert Hoseman, Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem, Bollinger Shipbuilding President Ben Bordelon welcomed the guests and reviewed the meaning of this ship class and the success of the Bollinger/Navy relationship. The Honorable Delbert Hosman, after thanking the shipyard workers, marveled at Dr. Ballard’s career and quipped, in reference to a Phoenician shipwreck Dr. Ballard discovered off the Israeli coast, “150 AD! Here in Mississippi, we are sure to take notice of anything that close to the time of Jesus.” Rear Admiral Erin Acosta, USN (Commander Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command) representing the CNO and Rear Admiral Benjamin Nicholson USN (Commander Military Sealift Command) each spoke of the role these oceanographic survey ships play in keeping our Navy at the forefront by mapping and understanding the geography of the bottom of the ocean. The Honorable Brendan Rogers, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment, representing the Secretary of the Navy, spoke of the accomplishments of the namesake and the Sponsor and the importance of oceanographic research.

Dr. Robert Ballard, the keynote speaker, was beaming with joy as he related the trajectory of his career through the decades. He related his boyhood fascination with Jules Verne’s story of Captain Nemo and his undergraduate and education. A commissioned army intelligence officer, Dr. Ballard found himself in charge of Naval Research at Woods Hole in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. There he assembled a team of young researchers, (many still are collaborating with him today) and set on a decades career of studying the depths of the ocean noting the mountain ranges, valleys and volcanoes previously unknown. It was the understanding that these physical and geological phenomena could be of strategic importance to the Navy that fulfilled his desire to serve his country. His milestone discovery of hydrothermal vents changed marine biology and geology forever. In addition to his archeological undersea discoveries in the Atlantic and the Pacific, he explored the Black Sea, whose waters, devoid of oxygen, would reveal itself as an ideal resting place for wooden ships, including a 1500-year-old preserved ship protected from wood destroying life. Dr. Ballard concluded with the request that, once the ship was fully equipped with its scientific instruments, he be invited to inspect the on-board laboratory. The gleam in his eye was ample proof that the boyhood desire for adventure and quest for knowledge has not diminished. Barbara Ballard spoke last, celebrating her husband and his accomplishments. She looked upon the great ship behind her, her beloved’s name boldly written across the bow, and with grace opened a tender window into Bob. Through her thoughtful telling we glimpsed the deeper man: the quiet strength of his leadership, his humanity, unrelenting courage, and profound integrity.

Then came the moment. With earnestness, Barbara raised the champagne bottle and brought it against the bow: “For the United States of America, I christen thee Robert Ballard. May God bless this ship and all who sail in her.”

Submitted by Ann Zumwalt

Author: Martha Hill

website admin & member