USCGC Fir, Coast Guard buoy tender in Stockton, US
The USCGC Fir is a Coast Guard buoy tender built in Oakland that maintained navigation aids in Alaskan waters. The vessel has a hull approximately 175 feet (53 meters) long and is equipped with cranes and winches to handle heavy buoys and equipment.
Moore Dry Dock Company in Oakland built the vessel in 1939 as part of the nation's maritime expansion. It served for over fifty years based in Seattle before becoming a historic ship that documents an important era of coastal operations.
For generations, this vessel was a familiar sight to sailors navigating Alaskan waters, representing the Coast Guard's commitment to maritime safety. Visitors today can see how the crew's everyday work kept major shipping routes and small coastal communities connected.
The ship is moored in Stockton and can be visited when docked. Visitors should note that access may be limited at times and sturdy shoes are recommended for walking the deck.
The ship features a dynamic positioning system that allowed the captain to hold the vessel steady at a location without manual steering. This technology was remarkable in the 1950s and showed how advanced maritime engineering had become by that era.
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