USCGC Scioto (WLR-65504)

• Commissioned in 1961: USCGC Scioto (WLR-65504) was constructed and commissioned in 1961, serving the United States Coast Guard for over six decades. • Class and Type: Scioto is a 65-foot river buoy tender, part of the 65-foot class of river buoy tenders (WLRs), specifically designed for inland waterway operations. • Named After a River: The cutter is named after the Scioto River, a significant river in Ohio, following the Coast Guard tradition of naming river buoy tenders after U.S. rivers. • Primary Mission: Scioto’s main responsibility is to maintain aids to navigation (ATON) on the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois rivers—vital for commercial barge and recreational traffic. • Homeport: The vessel is homeported in Keokuk, Iowa, a strategic location near the confluence of the Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers. • Unique Construction: Unlike most seagoing Coast Guard cutters, Scioto is a "push tug" that operates with a specialized barge, making it ideal for river work. • Ice Operations: During winter, Scioto is often called upon to break river ice, ensuring navigation channels remain open for essential river commerce. • Disaster Response: The crew of Scioto has participated in numerous flood and disaster relief operations, including the Great Flood of 1993 along the Mississippi River. • Community Engagement: Scioto frequently participates in local events and open houses, fostering strong community relations in the heartland of America. • Lifesaving Legacy: Over the years, Scioto’s crew has assisted in numerous search and rescue cases, saving lives and property on the inland waterways.