U.S. Coast Guard

USCG Station Gulfport, located in Gulfport, Mississippi, has played a vital role in maritime safety and security along the Gulf Coast since its establishment. Originally commissioned in the mid-20th century, the station has been instrumental in search and rescue operations, maritime law enforcement, and environmental protection missions throughout the region. Station Gulfport has responded to numerous hurricanes and natural disasters, providing crucial support to local communities during times of crisis. Today, it continues to serve as a key asset for the United States Coast Guard’s Eighth District, maintaining readiness to protect lives and uphold maritime laws in the busy waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Coast Guard Station Provincetown, located at the tip of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, has a storied history dating back to the establishment of early lifesaving stations in the region in the 19th century. The modern station traces its roots to the United States Life-Saving Service, which merged with the Revenue Cutter Service in 1915 to form the U.S. Coast Guard. Over the decades, Station Provincetown has played a vital role in search and rescue operations, maritime law enforcement, and environmental protection in the busy waters of Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Today, the station continues its mission, standing ready to respond to emergencies and safeguard mariners along one of the nation’s most historic and challenging coastlines.

USCG Station Rockland, located in Rockland, Maine, has played a crucial role in maritime safety and security along the mid-coast of Maine since its establishment. The station is responsible for search and rescue operations, law enforcement, and environmental protection in the busy Penobscot Bay region. Among its assets, the 47-foot Motor Lifeboat CG65603 has been instrumental in countless rescues, operating in harsh sea conditions characteristic of the area. Over the years, the station and crew of CG65603 have earned recognition for their dedication and professionalism, safeguarding mariners and supporting the Coast Guard’s mission in the North Atlantic.

USCG Station Siuslaw River, located in Florence, Oregon, traces its origins to 1918 when a lifesaving station was first established to assist mariners along the challenging central Oregon coast. Over the decades, the unit transitioned from the United States Life-Saving Service to the modern Coast Guard, adapting to new technologies and expanding its mission set. Today, the station specializes in search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and environmental protection within the Siuslaw River and its approaches. USCG Station Siuslaw River remains a critical asset for ensuring the safety of recreational boaters, commercial vessels, and the local community.

**USCG SUPCEN BKLYN Military History:** The United States Coast Guard Support Center Brooklyn (USCG SUPCEN BKLYN) was established in Brooklyn, New York, to provide logistical, administrative, and operational support to Coast Guard units in the New York City region. Historically, the center played a critical role during World War II and the Cold War, serving as a hub for maritime operations, port security, and search and rescue coordination. Throughout its years of operation, SUPCEN Brooklyn supported key missions, including disaster response and law enforcement activities along the East Coast. The facility was eventually closed in the 1990s as part of a nationwide Coast Guard reorganization, but its legacy continues in the ongoing missions of Coast Guard units in the New York area.

USCG Willamette Harbor is a United States Coast Guard station located in Portland, Oregon, tasked with patrolling and securing the critical waterways of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Established in the mid-20th century, the unit has played a vital role in search and rescue operations, law enforcement, and environmental protection in the Pacific Northwest. Throughout its history, USCG Willamette Harbor has supported local and federal agencies in disaster response and maritime safety, particularly during severe weather and flooding events. Today, the station continues to safeguard the region's ports and waterways, ensuring the safety and security of commercial and recreational vessel traffic.

USCGC Tanager (WAVP-385), originally commissioned as USS Tanager (AM-385), was an Admirable-class minesweeper built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was launched in 1944 and served in the Pacific Theater, conducting minesweeping operations to clear naval mines and ensure safe passage for Allied vessels. After the war, she was transferred to the United States Coast Guard in 1947 and redesignated as USCGC Tanager (WAVP-385). In Coast Guard service, she was primarily tasked with weather patrols and search and rescue missions in the Atlantic until her decommissioning in 1959.

USCGC Balsam (WLB-62) was a United States Coast Guard seagoing buoy tender commissioned in 1944. Built as part of the Cactus-class (or A-class) during World War II, Balsam served in the Pacific Theater, performing vital navigational aid, search and rescue, and convoy escort missions. After the war, she continued to serve in various locations, including Alaska and Hawaii, maintaining aids to navigation and supporting law enforcement and environmental missions. Decommissioned in 1976, Balsam was later transferred to the Philippine Navy, where she served as BRP Kalinga (AG-89).

USCGC BERING STRAIT (WHEC-382) was an Owasco-class high endurance cutter commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1945. Originally built for service in World War II, she was completed too late for combat but went on to serve during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. During the Vietnam War, BERING STRAIT participated in Operation Market Time, conducting coastal patrols, interdiction, and search and rescue missions. The cutter was decommissioned in 1971 and later transferred to the South Vietnamese Navy, where she served as HQ-1 Trần Quang Khải.

USCGC **Cactus** (WLB-270) was a United States Coast Guard sea-going buoy tender belonging to the **Cactus-class** (also known as the 180-foot class), launched in 1942 during World War II. Designed for aids to navigation, search and rescue, and logistics, she served along the U.S. East Coast and in various theaters, including support for wartime convoy operations. After the war, Cactus continued peacetime service, performing maintenance of navigational aids, icebreaking, and law enforcement missions until her decommissioning in 1971. Her hull designation was later changed to **WLB(O)-270** to reflect operational status, a designation used for vessels in reserve or awaiting disposal.

USCGC CAPE GEORGE (WPB-95322) was a 95-foot Cape-class patrol boat commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1959. Named after Cape George in Washington state, she served primarily in law enforcement, search and rescue, and maritime patrol missions along the U.S. coastline. During her service, CAPE GEORGE played a significant role in anti-smuggling operations and contributed to the Coast Guard’s efforts in maintaining maritime safety and security. The cutter was decommissioned in 1990 after more than three decades of dedicated service.

USCGC Cape Morgan (WPB-95312) was a 95-foot Cape-class patrol boat commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1958. Designed primarily for law enforcement, search and rescue, and anti-smuggling missions, Cape Morgan operated along the U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico during her service. The vessel played a significant role in maritime patrols during the Cold War era, contributing to coastal security and humanitarian operations. Cape Morgan was eventually decommissioned in the late 1980s as the Coast Guard modernized its fleet.

USCGC Cleat (WYTL-65615) is a 65-foot harbor tug that was built for the United States Coast Guard in 1961. Stationed primarily in the Northeast, Cleat has been tasked with missions including icebreaking, search and rescue, law enforcement, and port security. Throughout its service, the cutter has played a vital role in maintaining navigable waterways during harsh winter conditions and supporting Coast Guard operations in busy harbors. Cleat’s long-standing commitment exemplifies the essential support provided by smaller Coast Guard vessels in both daily and emergency maritime operations.

USCGC Escanaba (WHEC-64) was a United States Coast Guard high endurance cutter commissioned in 1946. Named after the earlier USCGC Escanaba (WPG-77) lost in World War II, WHEC-64 served primarily on the Atlantic seaboard, performing search and rescue, law enforcement, and ocean station duties during the Cold War era. She participated in numerous weather patrols and humanitarian missions, contributing to maritime safety and national security. The cutter was decommissioned in 1974, concluding nearly three decades of distinguished service.

**USCGC IRONWOOD (WLB-297)** was a 180-foot seagoing buoy tender commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1944. Initially assigned to the Pacific theater during World War II, IRONWOOD performed vital aids to navigation, logistics, and rescue operations in support of Allied forces. After the war, she continued service in various locations, including Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, conducting law enforcement, search and rescue, and maintaining navigational aids. After more than five decades of service, IRONWOOD was decommissioned in 2000. **USCGC SANIBEL (WPB-1312)** is an Island-class patrol boat commissioned in 1987, named after Sanibel Island, Florida. Based out of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, SANIBEL has participated in numerous missions, including search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and environmental protection along the Atlantic coast. The cutter has also played a role in homeland security operations, drug interdiction, and fisheries enforcement. SANIBEL continues to serve as a vital asset in the Coast Guard’s fleet, demonstrating versatility and readiness in safeguarding U.S. waters.

USCGC Modoc (WPG-46) was a Treasury-class United States Coast Guard cutter commissioned in 1922. During World War II, Modoc played a significant role in the Battle of the Atlantic, conducting convoy escort and search and rescue operations. In May 1941, Modoc was notably involved in the events surrounding the sinking of the German battleship Bismarck, when she narrowly avoided being fired upon by both British and German forces while rescuing survivors. After decades of service, Modoc was decommissioned in 1947, having distinguished herself in both peacetime and wartime missions.

USCGC Morris (WSC-147) was a 125-foot Active-class patrol boat commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1927. Designed for Prohibition-era law enforcement, she was part of the famed "Buck & a Quarter" class. During World War II, Morris conducted coastal patrols, convoy escort, and anti-submarine operations, notably along the U.S. East Coast and in the Caribbean. After decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1971, having played a vital role in both peacetime and wartime Coast Guard missions.

USCGC NAUGATUCK was a United States Coast Guard vessel assigned to Group Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, tasked with operations on the upper Great Lakes. Operating primarily in the cold, challenging waters of Lake Superior and surrounding areas, the NAUGATUCK carried out vital missions such as search and rescue, law enforcement, and icebreaking to ensure safe navigation for commercial and civilian traffic. The cutter played a key role in supporting both local communities and broader Coast Guard objectives, especially during harsh winter months when ice conditions threatened shipping lanes. Throughout its service, the NAUGATUCK exemplified the Coast Guard’s commitment to safety, security, and stewardship of the Great Lakes region.

USCGC Point Evans (WPB-82354) was a Point-class cutter commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1967. Designed for law enforcement, search and rescue, and coastal patrol duties, she served primarily along the U.S. West Coast. During her service, Point Evans participated in numerous rescue operations and maritime law enforcement missions, contributing to coastal security and safety. After decades of active duty, she was eventually decommissioned and transferred to another nation as part of U.S. military assistance programs.

USCGC Point Turner (WPB-82365) was a Point-class cutter commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1967. Designed for law enforcement, search and rescue, and patrol duties, she was one of the durable 82-foot vessels frequently deployed during the Vietnam War. In 1968, Point Turner was transferred to South Vietnam as part of the Coast Guard’s Operation Market Time, where she served alongside the Republic of Vietnam Navy to prevent the infiltration of supplies and personnel by sea. After her service in Vietnam, she continued to perform coastal patrol and interdiction missions under the South Vietnamese flag.

USCGC PT. Harris (WPB-82376) was a Point-class cutter commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in the late 1960s. Named in honor of a Coast Guard hero, the vessel served primarily in coastal patrol, law enforcement, and search and rescue missions along the U.S. coastline. Throughout her service, PT. Harris was recognized for her crew’s professionalism during drug interdiction operations and disaster response efforts. After decades of faithful service, the cutter was decommissioned as the Coast Guard modernized its fleet with newer vessels.

USCGC PT. SWIFT (WPB 82312) was a Point-class cutter commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in the early 1960s. Designed for law enforcement, search and rescue, and maritime patrol duties, PT. SWIFT served primarily along the U.S. coastline, contributing to drug interdiction operations and coastal security during the height of the Cold War. The vessel participated in numerous rescue missions, showcasing the versatility and reliability of the Point-class cutters. After decades of service, PT. SWIFT was eventually decommissioned, reflecting the ongoing modernization of Coast Guard patrol assets.

USCGC Sagebrush (WLB-399) was a 180-foot Cactus-class seagoing buoy tender commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1944. Built during World War II, Sagebrush was primarily tasked with maintaining aids to navigation, search and rescue, and icebreaking operations along the U.S. East Coast and in the Caribbean. Over her decades of service, the cutter played a vital role in maritime safety and logistics, responding to emergencies and supporting Coast Guard missions. Sagebrush was decommissioned in 1988, marking the end of over four decades of distinguished service to the nation.

USCGC Sangamon was a United States Coast Guard cutter that served primarily during the Prohibition era and into World War II. Commissioned in the early 20th century, Sangamon was part of the Coast Guard's "Six-Bitter" class, designed for long-range patrols to enforce Prohibition laws and interdict rumrunners along the U.S. coastline. During World War II, the cutter was assigned to coastal defense and convoy escort duties, helping to safeguard American waters from enemy submarines and ships. After years of distinguished service, the USCGC Sangamon was eventually decommissioned, marking the end of its operational history.