Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) operates a variety of ships, each designed for specific missions and tasks. Here are some key types of USCG ships:

  1. Cutters: These are the largest vessels in the Coast Guard fleet and are over 65 feet long. They perform a wide range of missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, environmental protection, and national defense. Cutters can be further classified into classes such as National Security Cutters, Offshore Patrol Cutters, and Fast Response Cutters.
  2. Boats: These smaller vessels are under 65 feet in length and are used for missions close to shore. They include Motor Lifeboats, Response Boat-Medium, and the Response Boat-Small. Boats are typically used for search and rescue, port security, and law enforcement.
  3. Icebreakers: These specialized vessels are designed to operate in polar regions and other icy waters. The USCG operates heavy icebreakers, such as the Polar Star, and medium icebreakers like the Healy. Their primary missions include scientific research, national defense, and maintaining open waterways in frozen regions.
  4. Buoy Tenders: These ships are responsible for maintaining and servicing navigation aids such as buoys and beacons. They come in different classes, including Seagoing Buoy Tenders and Coastal Buoy Tenders.