USCGC Steadfast (WMEC-623)

USCGC "Steadfast" (WMEC-623) is a United States Coast Guard medium endurance cutter and has served the United States for over 30 years. Commissioned in 1968, "Steadfast" was home ported in St. Petersburg, Florida for her first 24 years of service. In 1992, she was decommissioned for Major Maintenance Availability (MMA) to extend her service another 25 years. Following MMA in February 1994, "Steadfast" was re-commissioned and home ported in Astoria, Oregon.

Since commissioning in 1968, "Steadfast" has completed over 330 Search and Rescue cases, interdicted over 1.6 million pounds of marijuana and 27,700 pounds of cocaine, seized over 65 vessels, and stopped over 3500 undocumented migrants on the high seas from entering the United States. "Steadfast" was the first, and is one of only two cutters awarded the gold marijuana leaf, symbolizing one million pounds of marijuana seized. Legend holds "Steadfast" was named "El Tiburon Blanco" (Spanish for "The White Shark") by Colombian drug smugglers in the 1970's for being such a nemesis to their illegal drug operations. "Steadfast's"' crew uses the symbol of "El Tiburon Blanco" as one of their logos to epitomize "Steadfast's" aggressive law enforcement posture. [http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgcsteadfast/main.htm]

External links

* [http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgcsteadfast"Steadfast" home page]