USCGC Castle Rock

• Distinguished Service: USCGC Castle Rock (WAVP-383, later WHEC-383) was a United States Coast Guard cutter that served from 1944 to 1979, providing over three decades of service. • World War II Origins: The ship was launched in 1943 and commissioned in 1944 as part of the United States Navy's efforts during World War II, originally built as a Barnegat-class seaplane tender (AVP-35). • Weather Patrols: After the war, Castle Rock was transferred to the Coast Guard and converted for use as an ocean station vessel, conducting weather patrols in the North Atlantic—a critical Cold War mission for aviation and shipping safety. • Rescue Operations: The cutter was involved in numerous rescue missions, including assisting distressed vessels and saving lives in the stormy North Atlantic. • Vietnam War Service: Castle Rock was deployed to Vietnam as part of Operation Market Time, conducting coastal surveillance and interdiction to prevent the infiltration of supplies by sea. • Combat Engagements: During its Vietnam tour, the ship engaged in several fire support missions, providing naval gunfire and boarding suspect vessels. • Role in the Cuban Missile Crisis: Castle Rock participated in the naval quarantine of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, helping enforce the blockade. • International Transfer: After being decommissioned by the USCG in 1979, Castle Rock was transferred to the South Vietnamese Navy as RVNS Tran Binh Trong (HQ-5). • Philippine Navy Service: After the fall of South Vietnam, the ship was taken to the Philippines, where it served in the Philippine Navy as BRP Francisco Dagohoy (PF-10). • Legacy: The long and diverse service of USCGC Castle Rock—spanning multiple nations, wars, and missions—exemplifies the adaptability and enduring value of the Barnegat-class ships.