First Atomic Ship Trust

Preserving the Legacy of NS Savannah

First Atomic Ship Trust is being organized to help preserve and interpret the legacy of NS Savannah, America’s first nuclear-powered merchant ship.

NS Savannah is a one-of-a-kind vessel: part cargo ship, part passenger ship, part engineering demonstration, and part national symbol. Conceived during the Atoms for Peace era, she showed the world a bold vision of American technology, maritime innovation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

FAST’s goal is to build the support, expertise, partnerships, and financial foundation needed to acquire the ship from the U.S. Maritime Administration, commonly known as MARAD, and preserve her as a long-term historic and educational resource in Baltimore.

Preserved and interpreted well, NS Savannah can serve as an ambassador for nuclear energy, a recruiting tool for the maritime industry, and an inspiring gateway for students and young professionals considering careers in engineering, ship operations, energy, preservation, public history, and STEM fields.

FAST is intended to complement, not replace, the work of the NS Savannah Association. The vision is for FAST to provide the ownership, governance, preservation, maintenance, and public-presentation structure needed for the ship’s future, while NSSA continues to support advocacy, interpretation, tours, volunteer engagement, fundraising, and improvement efforts in cooperation with FAST.