USCGC Cape Hedge (WPB-95311)

• Name and Class: USCGC Cape Hedge (WPB-95311) was a 95-foot Cape-class patrol boat of the United States Coast Guard, part of a fleet designed for law enforcement and search and rescue missions. • Year Built: The vessel was constructed in 1958 at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland, reflecting the mid-century expansion of the USCG fleet. • Primary Missions: Cape Hedge's main duties included search and rescue operations, maritime law enforcement, and port security, particularly during heightened Cold War tensions. • Homeports: Throughout her service, Cape Hedge was homeported in several locations, including Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and later in New Bedford, Massachusetts. • Vietnam War Service: Although some Cape-class cutters were deployed to Vietnam under Operation Market Time, Cape Hedge remained stateside and was not among those transferred to the U.S. Navy for combat operations. • Search and Rescue Success: Cape Hedge was credited with numerous successful rescues, including the high-profile assistance to distressed fishing vessels off the New England coast. • Community Involvement: The crew of Cape Hedge often participated in local community events, fostering positive relationships between the Coast Guard and coastal towns. • Modernization: During her career, Cape Hedge underwent several upgrades to her navigation, communication, and firefighting equipment, reflecting evolving maritime technology. • Decommissioning: The cutter was decommissioned in 1989, as part of the Coast Guard’s transition to newer patrol boat classes like the Island-class cutters. • Legacy: After decommissioning, Cape Hedge was transferred to another agency or sold, but she remains a symbol of the Cape-class cutters’ essential role in mid-20th century Coast Guard operations.