Search the Site with 
General Characteristics Crew List Memorabilia About the Ship's Coat of Arms Image Gallery to end of page

USS Ardent (MCM 12)

- decommissioned -

USS ARDENT was the 12th AVENGER - class Mine Countermeasures Ship and the third ship in the Navy to bear the name. From the mid-1990s until 2013, the ship was forward-deployed to Manama, Bahrain. USS ARDENT held a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on August 20, 2020, and was officially decommissioned on August 27, 2020. In September 2023, Marine Group Boat Works of San Diego, Calif., was awarded a $9,351,700 firm-fixed-price contract for the dismantling of ARDENT along with her two decommissioned sisterships SCOUT (MCM 8) and CHAMPION (MCM 4).


General Characteristics:Awarded: December 12, 1989
Keel laid: October 22, 1990
Launched: November 16, 1991
Commissioned: February 18, 1994
Decommissioned: August 27, 2020
Builder: Peterson Shipbuilders, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
Propulsion System: four diesels
Propellers: two
Length: 224 feet (68.28 meters)
Beam: 39 feet (11.89 meters)
Draft: 11,5 feet (3.5 meters)
Displacement: 1,312 tons
Speed: 14 knots
Armament: Mine neutralization system, two .50 caliber machine guns
Crew: 8 Officers, 76 Enlisted


Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page



Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page

Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS ARDENT. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.


back to top  go to the end of the page



Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page

About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The crest of USS ARDENT was designed by a plankowner, a member of her first crew. The blue and gold of the outer border are colors that are traditionally synonymous with the United States Navy.

The two gold stars represent the two previous United States naval ships that proudly bore the name ARDENT. The shield signifies protection provided to the fleet, while the broken mine depicts the mine countermeasures mission of the ship. The shield contains the nations colors of red, white and blue representing patriotism and allegiance to country.

The flames behind the shield signify the fire and zeal the crew possesses. The four red stars above the ships silhouette commemorate the four battle stars awarded to the second ARDENT for her distinguished service in the Pacific theater during World War II. The crossed swords behind the shield, one gold and one silver, symbolize the teamwork and cooperation which exist between the officer and enlisted communities. The ship’s motto is igneus et fervens (fiery and fervent).



Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page


The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the ARDENT at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on October 2, 2015.



The photos below were taken by Sebastian Thoma and show the ARDENT at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on December 20, 2016.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the ARDENT at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on October 11, 2017.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the ARDENT returning to Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on September 28, 2018.



The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the ARDENT at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on March 2, 2019.



The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the decommissioned ARDENT (right) laid up at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on December 28, 2021.



Back to topback to top



Back to Mine Countermeasure Ships site. Back to ships list. Back to selection page. Back to 1st page.