USCG seagoing buoy tender



The USCG seagoing buoy tender is a type of US Coast Guard cutter originally designed to service aids to navigation,throughout the waters of the United States, and wherever US shipping interests require. The Coast Guard has maintained a fleet of seagoing buoy tenders dating back to its origins in the US 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 ft-class cutters, were 180 ft long. Thirty-nine of these 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 ft Juniper-class cutters. The last 180-foot cutter, USCGC Acacia (WLB-406), was decommissioned on 7 June 2006.

The Jonquil class of 189 ft buoy tenders were US Army built mine planters acquired by the Coast Guard after World War II. Built around 1942, these vessels were designed for diesel engines but low pressure steam plants were installed instead.

The new Juniper buoy tenders are designed and operated as multi-mission platforms. While the 180s also performed other Coast Guard missions, they lacked the speed, communications, navigation and maneuverability of the new Junipers. Today, the Junipers 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.

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 m circle in winds of up to 30 kn and waves of up to 8 ft.


 * 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)