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This image is copyrighted by the artist and all reproduction rights are held by the U. S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association. Reproduction or other use without the permission of both parties is strictly prohibited.
Theme Buoy Tending Operations
Period 1967—1975
Artist Mike Koloski (Class of 1965), Enterprise, Oregon
Size (framed) 7’-0” wide x 4’-4” high
Champion John Brittain, Class of 1962
Sponsor Anonymous, Class of 1962
Story The need for dependable aids to navigation can be traced to the beginnings of maritime commerce. One of the first acts of the young U.S. Federal government was to provide for aids to navigation. In 1789, Congress federalized the existing lighthouses built by the colonies and appropriated funds for lighthouses, beacons, and buoys. While the tools and methods of maintaining aids in U.S. waters have changed substantially, the mission remains the same. Buoy tenders used by the Coast Guard during the 1970s consisted of seven classes based on size of the vessel and the tending capacity. This mural depicts the cutter Madrona, an example of the largest class of tenders. These seagoing tenders were capable of lifting up to 20 tons. They were equipped for long voyages, and had ice breaking bows for winter tending. Madrona was built in 1943 and decommissioned in 2002 after nearly 60 years of service. The largest buoys serviced by this class were lighted whistle buoys 38 feet in length, 9 feet in diameter, and weighing several tons.