USCGS Race Point

• USCGS Race Point (WAGL-233) was a United States Coast Guard lighthouse tender, serving primarily in the New England region. • The vessel was built in 1917 by the Pusey & Jones Shipbuilding Company in Wilmington, Delaware. • Originally commissioned for the United States Lighthouse Service as USLHT Race Point, she was integrated into the Coast Guard fleet in 1939 when the Lighthouse Service merged with the Coast Guard. • During World War II, USCGS Race Point was used not only for lighthouse and buoy tending but also for coastal patrols to detect enemy submarines and ensure navigational aids were operational. • The vessel was named after Race Point, a prominent geographical feature at the tip of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, known for its treacherous waters and historical significance in navigation. • Race Point played a key role in maintaining and repairing vital aids to navigation, such as buoys and lighthouses, along the hazardous and fog-prone waters of New England. • The ship was often involved in rescue missions, coming to the aid of vessels in distress and participating in search and rescue operations during storms and maritime accidents. • In addition to her lighthouse tender duties, USCGS Race Point assisted in icebreaking operations to keep shipping lanes open during harsh New England winters. • The Race Point was decommissioned in 1958 after more than 40 years of service, marking the end of an era for one of the region’s most dependable Coast Guard vessels. • Today, the legacy of USCGS Race Point is remembered by maritime historians and Coast Guard enthusiasts for her steadfast service and the critical support she provided to navigation and safety along the Atlantic coast.