 The thrusters were easily damaged by impact with the bottom.The conversion radically changed the outward appearance of the vessel and the length was shortened to with 873 tons displacement.The vessel was put into service by the Military Sealift Command as USNS "Naubuc" operated under contract with the Navy's Supervisor of Salvage by Merritt Division of Pacific Marine Salvage Company assigned to Naval Underwater Systems Center (NUSC).