After more than eight decades submerged at Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy has completed the removal of over 150 tons of concrete mooring platforms from the wreckage of the USS Arizona, a landmark operation aimed at preserving the integrity of one of the nation’s most sacred war memorials.
A Monumental Removal After 80 Years
In September 2025, Navy salvage teams, led by Navy Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1, embarked on an intricate and sensitive mission to extract two massive concrete platforms—remnants of World War II-era salvage operations—from the deteriorating decks of the sunken battleship. The final lift occurred approximately one month later, marking the end of a high-stakes engineering and environmental effort.
These concrete structures were originally installed in the aftermath of the December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, intended to assist in the recovery of heavy armaments and ordnance from the remains of the USS Arizona. Though the original salvage efforts ended long ago, the platforms stayed in place, looming over the fragile hull.
Engineering Precision in Preservation
The removal operation was far from simple. It involved the deployment of a floating crane barge and a diamond wire saw, a specialized tool that allowed the team to carefully slice the concrete into manageable segments. This meticulous process was necessary to prevent further structural stress on the wreckage beneath—a vessel that serves as both a war grave and a national symbol.
Team members often faced 12-to-14-hour workdays, navigating logistical, mechanical, and environmental challenges. Federal contractors worked alongside Navy personnel in a seamless coordination of expertise. Their shared objective: protect the structural remains of the USS Arizona while mitigating any risks to the surrounding harbor.
Why Now? Addressing a Structural Threat
Officials cited long-standing concerns about the possibility of the concrete platforms collapsing through the ship’s corroded deck plates, which had slowly deteriorated after more than 80 years underwater. Such a collapse would not only have damaged the historic vessel but also the solemn memorial that spans it.
The USS Arizona Memorial, constructed in 1962 and overseen by the National Park Service since 1980, stretches over the midsection of the sunken battleship. Accessible only by boat, it draws millions of visitors each year, paying tribute to the 1,177 sailors and Marines who lost their lives during the attack.
Balancing History With Environmental Responsibility
Given the location’s status as a national historic site and an underwater ecosystem, environmental safety was a top priority throughout the operation. Teams included experts in:
- Marine biology
- Water quality
- Historic preservation
- Harbor safety
These specialists ensured that the removal did not adversely affect the memorial’s surroundings or marine life in Pearl Harbor’s delicate waters. Their presence also helped minimize disruption to the ongoing visitor experience and upheld safety protocols for workers on-site.
Safeguarding the Future of a National Memorial
The removal of the platforms represents not just a logistical triumph but a symbolic gesture of stewardship and remembrance. It eliminates a major threat to the ship’s integrity, allowing future preservation efforts to focus on maintaining rather than rescuing the site.
This act of preservation underscores a broader commitment by the Navy and National Park Service to honor the memory of those who perished aboard the USS Arizona, while ensuring that the memorial remains intact for generations to come.
Today, with the concrete platforms gone and only minor segments left untouched to prevent destabilization, the USS Arizona rests in solemn silence, undisturbed and protected—its story still echoing through the waters of Pearl Harbor and the collective memory of a nation.
