USCGC SEDGE (WLB 402)

• Commissioned in 1944: USCGC SEDGE (WLB-402) was built by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Company in Duluth, Minnesota, and commissioned into service in May 1944 during World War II. • Iris-class Buoy Tender: SEDGE was part of the 180-foot Iris-class buoy tenders, a class designed for aids-to-navigation, search and rescue, and icebreaking. • World War II Service: Initially stationed in the Great Lakes, SEDGE was transferred to the Pacific and assigned to locations including Honolulu and Ketchikan, supporting war efforts and maritime safety. • Alaska Operations: For much of her career, SEDGE was stationed in Alaska, including ports like Ketchikan and Cordova, where she played a vital role in maintaining navigational aids in treacherous Alaskan waters. • Icebreaking Capabilities: SEDGE was equipped to break ice, ensuring that maritime traffic could safely navigate during harsh Alaskan winters. • Rescue and Law Enforcement: The cutter was involved in numerous search and rescue missions, as well as law enforcement operations, including fisheries patrols and environmental protection. • Vietnam War Service: In the late 1960s, SEDGE was deployed to Vietnam as part of Operation Market Time, conducting coastal surveillance, interdiction, and support of military operations. • Civilian Support: SEDGE frequently supported remote Alaskan communities by delivering supplies and providing emergency assistance during natural disasters. • Longest-Serving in Class: At the time of her decommissioning in 2002, SEDGE was one of the last three remaining 180-foot buoy tenders in operation, marking nearly 60 years of distinguished service. • Artificial Reef Legacy: After decommissioning, SEDGE was intentionally sunk off the coast of Alabama in 2005 to serve as an artificial reef, continuing her service by fostering marine habitat and recreational diving opportunities.