USNS James M. Gilliss

USNS James M. Gilliss (AGOR-4) on 14 December 1962
History
United States
NameJames M. Gilliss
NamesakeJames Melville Gilliss, born 6 September 1811 in the District of Columbia
BuilderChristy Corporation, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Laid down31 May 1961
Launched19 May 1962
Sponsored byMrs. Hubert H. Humphrey, wife of the Senator from Minnesota
Acquiredby the U.S. Navy, 5 October 1962
In service5 November 1962 as USNS James M. Gilliss (T-AGOR-4)
Out of service1980
IdentificationIMO number7338339
History
Mexico
Name
  • 1983-2023 ARM Altair
  • from 2023 ARM Sayulita
In service15 June 1983. Loaned to Mexico 15 June 1983, sold to Mexico 4 December 1996 under the Security Assistance Act.
IdentificationPennant number: BI-03
StatusOperational 2023
NotesBased Manzanillo, Colima
General characteristics
TypeRobert D. Conrad class oceanographic research ship
Displacement
  • 1,200 tons light
  • 1,370 tons full load
Length209 ft (64 m)
Beam40 ft (12 m)
Draft16 ft (4.9 m)
Propulsiondiesel-electric, single propeller, 2,500shp, retractable azimuth-compensating bow thruster
Speed12 knots
Complement23 civilian mariners, 38 scientists
ArmamentNone

USNS James M. Gilliss (T-AGOR-4) was a Robert D. Conrad-class oceanographic research ship acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1962. The ship was operated by the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS now MSC) and managed by the Naval Oceanographic Office as one of the "Navy Pool" vessels serving various Navy laboratories and projects in the Atlantic Ocean. After active Navy pool service the ship was assigned to the University of Miami to operate as part of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) fleet until 1979.

James M. Gilliss was loaned to the Mexican Navy in June 1983 as an oceanographic research ship to become ARM Altair (BI-03). Mexico bought the ship December 1996 under the Security Assistance Act. In 2023 she was renamed ARM Sayulita (BI-03)