SHIELD
Azure (Dark Blue) a compass rose Or quartered Or, Sable, Argent and Azure (Turquoise); on a wavy chief of the second a bear's gamb erased Proper.
CREST
On a wreath Or and Azure (Dark Blue) a wreath of palm fronds Proper surmounted by a tricolor rainbow annulet of Gules, Or and Azure (Turquoise) couped at the top all superimposed by a demi-trident Proper. .
SEAL
The coat of arms as blazoned in full color upon a white oval enclosed within a dark blue collar edged with gold chain and inscribed "USNS NAVAJO" above and "T-ATF 169" below in gold letters.
SHIELD
Dark blue and gold represent the Navy. The compass rose signifies worldwide mission capability. The colors of its quarters, gold, black, white and turquoise are significant in tribal tradition and representative of the four sacred mountains of Navajo mythology, Mount Blanca, Mount Taylor, Hesperus Peak and San Francisco Peaks. The gold chief, wavy of four, again represents the Navy and the sacred mountains. The bear paw, claws outstretched, symbolizes the salvage and retrieval missions of the USNS NAVAJO. The bear, a skilled fisherman, is also prominent in Navajo lore and is symbolic of strength and determination. Gold denotes excellence.
CREST
The rainbow annulet is derived from the seal of the Navajo Nation, designed by John Claw, Jr. and adopted in 1952. The three colors traditionally represent the tribe. The wreath is a symbol of honor and achievement. The demi-trident signifies mastery at sea and Navy expertise in accomplishing mission requirements.
MOTTO
"KEEPING A STEADY STRAIN". Motto inscribed in dark blue upon a gold-color scroll garnished dark blue and doubled of the like.