USS Higgins ( DDG - 76 ) USS " Higgins " ( DDG - 76 ) is a Flight I " Arleigh Burke " - class destroyer in the United States Navy . She was commissioned in 1999 and named after William R . Higgins ( 1945 – 1990 ) , a United States Marine Corps Colonel who was captured and held hostage in February 1988 by a pro - Iranian group allied with Hezbollah while serving on a United Nations peacekeeping mission ( United Nations Truce Supervision Organization , UNTSO ) in Lebanon . He was killed in captivity by July 1990 . President George Bush awarded Colonel Higgins the Presidential Citizen ’ s Award two years after the colonel died . Then , another two years later ( 17 February 1994 ) , the president named the ship ( that was about to be built ) after Colonel Higgins . 2010 Haiti earthquake relief . The ship performed logistical support for United States Coast Guard helicopters undergoing relief operations for the 2010 Haiti earthquake . Crest . The ship ' s crest and shield were designed to honor the memory of Colonel William " Rich " Higgins , USMC and to signify the power of the warship that bears his name . About the Ship . The ship is just like any vehicle , it has to be fueled and refueled . When it is fully operated or on deployment , the ship has to refuel about every week . Refueling for the ship costs approximately $ 230 , 000 . Weapons . Weapons include one 50 cal . ( caliber ) lightweight gun , a light machine gun , 2 CIWS guns , Highly Explosive Electronically Timed ( or HE - ET ) and Kinetic Energy Electronically Timed ( or KE - ET ) 5 ” ( 5 inch ) projectiles , one 25MM remote controlled machine gun , eight harpoon missiles , two torpedo launchers ( total six tubes ) , Tactic Tomahawk missiles ( also known as TACTOM missiles ) , and 110 missile launchers in all ; 42 missile launchers in the front of the ship , 68 launchers in the back . Some of these weapons are controlled by monitors in the Combat Information Center ( CIC ) in the bridge . The 50 cal . and light machine gun are mounted on the left and right of the ship . The Harpoon missiles cross each others like an “ X ” ; four missiles point left , another four point right . The CIWS ( Close In Weapon System ) is an anti - missile weapon that can shoot 60 rounds per second , but is short - ranged . With its radar , it can spot enemy missiles and bullets . The 25mm gun can be controlled by monitors or humans , so it can be used in any time of battle without injuring anyone . When the monitor is broken the sailors use it themselves . FAQ . • How do they get electricity ? To obtain electricity , the GTG , or Gas Turbine Generator , burns some of the ship ’ s fuel to create electricity . • What do the sailors do when the ship is damaged ? When the ship is out at sea and it is damaged but not serious , there are machines that will pump excess ( extra ) water out from the ship . There are lifeboats for the crew if the ship ’ s damage is serious . The ship will also destroy all data on the ship will so enemies can ’ t use it . • How do sailors get food ? There is a 6 month supply of food inside the giant fridge . Each time the ship stops at a new place , it gets more food . • How do the sailors get water for bathing and drinking ? Sea water is processed through two reverse osmosis watermakers which provide up to 24 , 000 gallons of potable water per day for bathing and drinking . • Where do the sailors sleep ? There are separate resting and sleeping sections for the male and female , called Berthing Areas . To sleep , there are bunk beds called rack beds with a small curtain . • Where and what do they eat ? Sailors eat in the mess deck . They eat pretty much the same food as they would at home . • Do they wash / dry dishes themselves ? No , they use a special machine for washing / drying dishes . • How does the restroom work ? The vacuum toilets use mostly air to flush , and the waste goes to the VCHT ( Vacuum , Collection , Holding , and Transfer ) tank . It collects the wastes until the tank is full , and the sewage is disposed of at sea , or pumped to the deck connection and shore facilities when in port . • How do sailors communicate and warn each other ? To talk to or warn the crew , there are announcers everywhere . The announcer can announce to different rooms at any time . • How do the sailors talk to other people at home ? There isn ’ t any signal to make calls . Instead , sailors use satellite power to call . Cell phone using is usually not allowed on the ship while it is active , except on some occasions . It confuses equipment that is on the ship , like a plane . • What are antennas used for ? Antennas are used for seeking targets and receiving signals . Each has a different use . • Where is the ship controlled ? The bridge is where you can control the ship , check the speed , and see what is near the ship with the radar . • What do they use to search ? Lights on the ship are for signaling other ships or searching . When the crew spots a friendly helicopter , there is a place for it to land on the ship .