Ortolan was designed to operate Mystic class deep submergence rescue vehicles, and was the second and final vessel of the Pigeon class built by the U.S. Navy. She was decommissioned on 30 March 1995 and was berthed at the James River Reserve Fleet at Fort Eustis, Virginia, awaiting final determination for method of disposal. On 3 July 2009, the Ortolan was awarded as part of a recycling contract to Esco Marine of Brownsville, Texas. The Ortolan departed the James River Reserve Fleet at 9:50 am on 20 July for recycling.