SEAGOING BUOY TENDERS———————————————————————

The Coast Guard has maintained a fleet of Seagoing Buoy Tenders since its time as the U.S. Lighthouse Service (USLHS) in the early 1900s. Originally designated with the hull classification symbol WAGL, in 1965 that was changed to WLB, which is still in use today. Their primary mission is providing service to all types of aids to navigation within the United States and its territories.

The first Seagoing Buoy Tenders were originally U.S. Army Mine Planters built in 1917-1919 that were transferred to the U.S. Lighthouse Service in the early 1920s. Once under Coast Guard control they were classified as the Speedwell-class cutters. The six ships were 172’ in length and had been modeled after USLHS vessels with similar requirements for handling heavy loads alongside the vessels, which made them easily converted to perform buoy work.

The next version of Seagoing Buoy Tenders also began as U.S. Army Mine Planters built in the early 1940s. These 188’ ships were originally designed for diesel engines but low-pressure steam plants were ultimately installed. Five of them were transferred to the Coast Guard after World War II and classified as the Jonquil-class cutters. They remained in service until the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The third generation of Seagoing Buoy Tenders consisted of two classes of purpose-built, rather than refitted mine planters. The first were the 180’-class cutters of which 39 of the 40 were constructed in Duluth, MN shipyards in the early 1940s. The lone exception was the USCGC IRONWOOD (WAGL/WLB-297), which was constructed at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, MD. There were three sub-classes of 180’ Seagoing Buoy Tenders; 1) Class A-Cactus; 2) Class B-Mesquite; 3) Class C-Iris. Many of them served more than 50 years, some reaching 60. All have been decommissioned and replaced by the 225’ Juniper-class cutters. The final 180’ cutter, USCGC ACACIA (WLB-406), was decommisioned on 7 June 2006.

The second class of purpose-built Seagoing Buoy Tenders are the present-day 225’ Juniper-class cutters. Designed and operated as multi-mission platforms, they are highly more advanced than their 180’ predecessors in speed, communications, navigation, and maneuverability. Additionally, they are outfitted to better handle oil/hazardous material recovery, as well as law enforcement, marine & environmental protection, search and rescue, and ice breaking. There are sixteen 225’ cutters in the fleet.

———————————————————————

The Sinking of USCGC BLACKTHORN (WLB-291)
and the heroics of SA william R. “billy” flores

On the night of 28 January 1980, USCGC BLACKTHORN (WLB-291) was outbound from Tampa Bay, FL after completing an extensive overhaul at a local drydock. At the same time, the tanker Capricorn was traveling with the right-of-way into the bay. BLACKTHORN’s Commanding Officer had departed the bridge to investigate an issue with a newly installed propulsion shaft.  A Junior Officer had the conn. Just beforehand, the Russian passenger ship Kazakhstan had requested and overtaken BLACKTHORN. Upon completion of the passing, BLACKTHORN resumed its original course in mid-channel. 

Shortly thereafter, Capricorn began to turn left; but this course would not allow Capricorn and BLACKTHORN to pass port-to-port as the rules of navigation normally required. After trying unsuccessfully to radio BLACKTHORN, Capricorn’s pilot blew two short whistle blasts to have the ships pass starboard-to-starboard. Despite evasive action by BLACKTHORN, a collision occurred. 

Damage to BLACKTHORN from the initial impact was not extensive. However, Capricorn's anchor was ready to be let go. The anchor had become embedded in BLACKTHORN's hull, which ripped open the port side above the water line. As the two ships backed away from each other, the chain became taut. The force of the much larger ship pulling on it caused BLACKTHORN to tip on her side until she completely capsized. Several crewmembers who had just reported aboard tried to egress and in the process were trapped in the engine room. Tragically, of the 50 crewmembers onboard, 23 perished.

Seaman Apprentice William R. “Billy” Flores, had been out of boot camp for only a year and was serving at his first unit onboard BLACKTHORN. After the collision and as BLACKTHORN began capsizing, SA Flores opened the life jacket locker, secured it opened with his belt, and ensured as many shipmates as possible were able to access and use the life jackets.  He then remained onboard to help other crewmembers egress and also tend to the wounded.  Tragically, SA Flores, aged 18,  was not himself able to escape. However, his heroism directly contributed to saving the lives of countless crewmembers.

SA Flores was posthumously awarded the Coast Guard medal in 2000, which is the Coast Guard's highest award for heroism during peacetime. In October 2010, the Coast Guard announced that the third Sentinel-class cutter, a 154-foot patrol boat, would be named for SA Flores. USCGC WILLIAM FLORES (WPC-1103) was commissioned on 3 November 2012. In May 2021, SA Flores, a New Mexico native, was awarded the State of Texas Legislative Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.

USCGC BLACKTHORN (WLB-391)
SA WILLIAM FLORES
NOV 6, 1961 - JAN 28, 1980
180’ Class C (Iris)-class Buoy Tender
Commissioned: 27 March 1944
Decommissioned: 1980
Fate: Raised for the mishap investigation,
then scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico
as an artificial reef on 31 July 1981
(2-1/2” diameter)

———————————————————————

Buoy Tenders

180’ SEAGOING BUOY TENDERS

USCGC FIREBUSH (WLB-393)
180’ Class C (Iris)-class Buoy Tender
Commissioned: 20 July 1944
Decommissioned: 26 May 2003

225’ JUNIPER-CLASS BUOY TENDERS

USCGC WILLOW (WLB-202)
Charleston, SC
Commissioned: 10 April 1997

USCGC ELM (WLB-204)
Astoria, OR
Commissioned: 20 November 1998
(formerly Atlantic Beach, NC)

USCGC SYCAMORE (WLB-209)
Newport, RI
Commissioned: 2 July 2002

USCGC CYPRESS (WLB-210)
Kodiak, AK
Commissioned: 11 October 2002
(3-1/2” H x 1-1/4” W)

USCGC CYPRESS (WLB-210)
Kodiak, AK
Commissioned: 11 October 2002
(Black Trim)
(4-1/2” L x 2” H)

USCGC ALDER (WLB-216)
San Francisco, CA: 2022 - Present
Duluth, MN: 2005 - 2021
Commissioned: 10 June 2005

USCGC ALDER (WLB-216) / USCGC SPAR (WLB-206)
Duluth, MN
2005 - 2021 (ALDER) / 2022 - Present (SPAR)
(3-3/4” H x 1-1/4” W)