JS Hiuchi

For other uses, see Hiuchi.

JS Hiuchi is a Hiuchi class Auxiliary Multi-purpose Support (AMS) ship of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).^[1]

History
Japan
Name	Hiuchi (ひうち)
Builder	Mitsui, Tamano
Laid down	18 January 2001
Launched	4 September 2001
Commissioned	27 March 2002
Homeport	Maizuru
Identification	MMSI number: 431999656 Callsign: JSND
Status	in active service
General characteristics
Class and type	Hiuchi, Auxiliary Multi-purpose Support (AMS)
Displacement	980 long tons (1,000 t)
Length	65 m (213 ft)
Beam	12.0 m (39.4 ft)
Height	5.8 m (19 ft)
Draft	3.5 m (11 ft)
Propulsion	Diesel
Speed	15 knots

The ship was built by Mitsui in Tamano and commissioned into service on 27 March 2002.^[2] The primary mission of the Hiuchi is to support training exercises of other ships, including shooting practice and torpedo launching practice.^[3]

Service

This ship was one of several in the JMSDF fleet participating in disaster relief after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.^[4] Hiuchi was the first of two JMSDF ships which towed barges of fresh water from Yokosuka to the Fukushima I nuclear accidents. The water was used to replace the seawater being used in cooling efforts at the plant.^[5]