USCGC SHACKLE

• USCGC SHACKLE (WYTL-65609) is a United States Coast Guard 65-foot harbor tug, originally built in 1966 at the Gibbs Gas Engine Company in Jacksonville, Florida. • The vessel was part of the WYTL 65-foot class, designed for icebreaking, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations, especially in colder northern waters. • SHACKLE is powered by a single diesel engine, which provides durability and reliability for prolonged missions in harsh environments. • The cutter’s primary area of operation has included Kittery, Maine, supporting missions in the challenging waters of the North Atlantic. • Throughout her service, SHACKLE has played a key role in icebreaking operations, keeping vital waterways open during winter months for shipping and emergency access. • SHACKLE has participated in numerous search and rescue missions, saving lives and assisting vessels in distress along the New England coastline. • The vessel has been vital in aids to navigation, maintaining buoys and markers that are crucial for safe maritime traffic. • SHACKLE has also engaged in law enforcement duties, helping enforce fisheries regulations and prevent illegal activities in U.S. waters. • The cutter often collaborates with local agencies and other Coast Guard units, demonstrating the importance of interagency cooperation in maritime operations. • USCGC SHACKLE remains a symbol of the Coast Guard’s dedication to safety, service, and security in American waters, and continues to serve with distinction more than five decades after her commissioning.