Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Seventeenth District

 PHOTO ESSAY

JUNEAU, Alaska -- The Coast Guard Cutter Acushnet was originally commissioned a Navy Diver Class Fleet Rescue and Salvage vessel Feb. 5, 1944.  The 64-year-old 213-foot medium endurance cutter was commissioned as a Coast Guard Auxiliary tug Aug. 23, 1946 and has served in the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Bering Sea. 

Above:  The Coast Guard Cutter Acushnet sails through Gastineau Channel past the remains of an early 20th century pier Sept. 21, 2008. The pier was once part of the original city of Juneau.    [View High Resolution]

Left:  Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Greer evaluates a meter on one of the four propulsion engines on board the Coast Guard Cutter Acushnet Sept. 24, 2008.  The Acushnet is powered by four diesel electric propulsion engines, four propulsion generators, four propulsion motors and two shafts that enable the cutter to conduct patrols from Southeast Alaska to the Bering Sea. The Acushnet is currently the oldest operational cutter in the fleet.  [View High Resolution]

The Acushnet was crowned "Queen of the Fleet" after the decommissioning ceremony of the Coast Guard Cutter Storis on Feb. 8, 2007.  The Storis was the oldest cutter until its decommissioning.  The title "Queen of the Fleet" is a distinction given to the oldest commissioned cutter in service.  

The Acushnet left Juneau Sept. 24, 2008 to conduct a patrol in the Bering Sea.  Its primary missions include search and rescue, homeland security, maritime law enforcement, and environmental protection. 

During the course of 64 years of service, Acushnet crews have received the following awards for exemplary service: World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, two Coast Guard Unit Commendations, five Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations, seven Coast Guard "E" Ribbons, Navy Occupation Service Medal, three National Defense Service Medals, two Humanitarian Service Medals, and two Coast Guard Special Operation Ribbons.

Right:  Hands of a Coastguardsman rest on the original wooden helm of the Coast Guard Cutter Acushnet.  Crewmembers change on a regular basis, but as a permanent fixture aboard the cutter, the helm has acquired a well worn appearance that only six decades of service and thousands of individual's hands could reveal. [View High Resolution]

The Acushnet also holds the title "The ‘A' Team in Alaskan Fisheries," since it is able to handle the Alaskan environment more effectively than most other cutters.

After 64 years of service the cutter remains multi-mission ready and the crew is able to continuously carry out the Acushnet's motto, "Juvate, Servate, Confirmat," which means,  "Help, Save, Strengthen." 

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The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.