USCGC Cape Morgan

• USCGC Cape Morgan (WPB-95312) was a 95-foot Cape-class patrol boat built for the United States Coast Guard in the early 1950s, designed primarily for law enforcement and search and rescue missions. • The vessel was constructed at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland, and was commissioned in 1958. • Cape Morgan was part of the Cape-class, a series of 36 patrol boats named after North American capes, intended to replace the aging wooden 83-foot cutters from World War II. • The Cape-class cutters, including Cape Morgan, featured a steel hull and aluminum superstructure—a significant improvement in durability and maintenance over their predecessors. • During her service, Cape Morgan was stationed at various ports, including St. Petersburg, Florida, and Key West, Florida, playing a key role in search and rescue operations in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. • USCGC Cape Morgan was actively involved in the Cuban refugee crisis during the 1980 Mariel boatlift, rescuing and assisting hundreds of refugees fleeing Cuba by sea. • The cutter also participated in drug interdiction missions, intercepting boats carrying illegal narcotics and contributing to the Coast Guard's efforts during the early years of the War on Drugs. • Cape Morgan's crew earned several commendations for bravery and service, reflecting the high operational tempo and risks faced during rescue and interdiction missions. • In addition to her primary missions, Cape Morgan frequently assisted vessels in distress, fought fires at sea, and provided hurricane relief in the aftermath of destructive storms. • USCGC Cape Morgan was decommissioned in the late 1980s after three decades of service, marking the end of an era for the Cape-class patrol boats as they were replaced by newer, more advanced vessels.