MHC 53 Pelican
"Navis Expediens Viam"
Pelican is designed to hunt and neutralize sea mines under a wide variety of ocean conditions. A precise navigation, command and control system is installed in Pelican to integrate the minehunting sonar with the mine neutralization system. The ship is powered by two diesel engines driving two cycloidal propellers, a unique propulsion system that provides superior maneuvering and station keeping while the ship is operating in a mine field.
Pelican (MHC 53) is the fourth ship in the U.S. Navy's MHC 51 (OSPREY) Class Coastal Minehunter Program and the third U.S. Navy ship to bear that name. Pelican's keel was laid on 06 June 1991, and was commissioned 18 November 1995 at the Port of Beaumont, TX.
The ship's mission is to clear harbor, coastal, and ocean waters of acoustic, magnetic, pressure and contact-type mines, utilizing reconnaissance, classification, and neutralization tactics. The MHC Class design integrates modern mine countermeasures technology into a uniquely designed platform with exceptionally low magnetic signatures to protect against mine detonations during minehunting operations.
Ship's Coat of Arms
Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally associated with the United States Navy. Red is emblematic of valor and sacrifice, while light blue reflects coastal waters and the ship's area of operation. The two mines commemorate the previous minecraft named Pelican and underscore Pelican's mine hunting capabilities. The eight points of the compass rose combined with the gold star honor the nine battle stars the second Pelican earned in Korea.
On the ship's crest, the White Pelican grasping a barbed trident underscores the ship's designation and highlights its mission. The trident symbolizes sea prowess and weaponry. The setting sun alludes to the western Pacific and the first Pelican's war service. The twelve rays highlight the number of ships in the Mine Hunter Coastal Class.
Previous Namesakes
Two previous U.S. Navy ships have borne the name Pelican. The first Pelican (AM-27) (1918-1945) took part in sweeping the North Sea Mine Barrage (1919). Reclassified as a small sea plane tender (AVP-6) in 1936, she tended aircraft and served as a convoy escort during World War II.
The second Pelican (AMS-32) (1947-1968) earned nine battle stars in Korea, in addition to one earned in World War II as the then unnamed YMS-441.
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