USCG Seagoing Buoy Tender

The Seagoing Buoy Tender is a type of U.S. Coast Guard cutter originally designed to service aids to navigation, throughout the waters of the United States, and wherever U.S. shipping interests require. The Coast Guard has maintained a fleet of seagoing buoy tenders dating back to its origins in the U.S. Light House Service. These ships originally were designated with the hull classification symbol WAGL, but in 1965 the designation was changed to WLB, which is still used today.

Two classes of the WLB cutters have been produced. The older class, the 180-class cutters, were 180 feet (55 m) long. Thirty-nine of these sturdy vessels were built from 1942-1944. All but one were constructed in the shipyards of Duluth, Minnesota. The 180 fleet, many of which served for more than 50 years, all went through different mid-life modifications that essentially resulted in three different classes of ship. All of the 180s are now retired and have been replaced with the new 225 foot (69 m) "Juniper"-class cutters. The last 180-foot cutter, the USCGC "Acacia", was decommissioned on June 7 2006.

The new "Juniper" buoy tenders are designed and operated as multi-mission platforms. While the 180s also performed other CG missions, they lacked the speed, communications, navigation and maneuverability of the new "Juniper"s. Today, the "Juniper"s conduct almost as much law enforcement as aid to navigation work; they are also outfitted to handle oil spill recovery, search and rescue, homeland security and some ice breaking operations.

180' - Class Ships

Class A (Cactus)

*USCGC Balsam (WLB-62)
*USCGC Cactus (WLB-270)
*USCGC Cowslip (WLB-277)
*USCGC Woodbine (WLB-289)
*USCGC Gentian (WLB-290)
*USCGC Laurel (WLB-291)
*USCGC Clover (WLB-292)
*USCGC Evergreen (WLB-295)
*USCGC Sorrel (WLB-296)
*USCGC Citrus (WLB-300)
*USCGC Conifer (WLB-301)
*USCGC Madrona (WLB-302)
*USCGC Tupelo (WLB-303)

Class B (Mesquite)

*USCGC Ironwood (WLB-297)
*USCGC Mesquite (WLB-305)
*USCGC Buttonwood (WLB-306)
*USCGC Planetree (WLB-307)
*USCGC Papaw (WLB-308)
*USCGC Sweetgum (WLB-309)

Class C (Iris)

*USCGC Basswood (WLB-388)
*USCGC Bittersweet (WLB-389)
*USCGC Blackhaw (WLB-390)
*USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391)
*USCGC Bramble (WLB-392)
*USCGC Firebush (WLB-393)
*USCGC Hornbeam (WLB-394)
*USCGC Iris (WLB-395)
*USCGC Mallow (WLB-396)
*USCGC Mariposa (WLB-397)
*USCGC Redbud (WLB-398)
*USCGC Sagebrush (WLB-399)
*USCGC Salvia (WLB-400)
*USCGC Sassafras (WLB-401)
*USCGC Sedge (WLB-402)
*USCGC Spar (WLB-403)
*USCGC Sundew (WLB-404)
*USCGC Sweetbrier (WLB-405)
*USCGC Acacia (WLB-406)
*USCGC Woodrush (WLB-407)

225' - Juniper Class Ships

The "Juniper" class uses Dynamic Positioning which allows maintenance of the vessel's position within a 10 meter circle in winds of up to 30 knots (56 km/h) and waves of up to 8 feet (2.4 m).

*USCGC Juniper (WLB-201)
*USCGC Willow (WLB-202)
*USCGC Kukui (WLB-203)
*USCGC Elm (WLB-204)
*USCGC Walnut (WLB-205)
*USCGC Spar (WLB-206)
*USCGC Maple (WLB-207)
*USCGC Aspen (WLB-208)
*USCGC Sycamore (WLB-209)
*USCGC Cypress (WLB-210)
*USCGC Oak (WLB-211)
*USCGC Hickory (WLB-212)
*USCGC Fir (WLB-213)
*USCGC Hollyhock (WLB-214)
*USCGC Sequoia (WLB-215)
*USCGC Alder (WLB-216)

ee also

*USCG Coastal Buoy Tender
*USCG Inland Buoy Tender

External links

* [http://www.uscg.mil/datasheet/225wlb.htm "Juniper" class overview]
* [http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBCUTTERS/NPS_180_HAER_Report.pdf National Park Service Report on the 180 foot buoy tenders]