Coast Guard Cutter Fir

• Namesake and Class: The current Coast Guard Cutter Fir (WLB-213) is the third cutter to bear the name "Fir" and is a Juniper-class seagoing buoy tender. • Commissioning Date: Fir was commissioned on September 8, 2003, and is homeported in Astoria, Oregon. • Primary Mission: The cutter’s main mission is to maintain aids to navigation along the Pacific Northwest, including the dangerous and busy Columbia River bar. • Modern Technology: Fir is equipped with advanced dynamic positioning systems, allowing the ship to hold position with pinpoint accuracy even in rough seas. • Service Legacy: The original Fir (launched in 1939) was the last “tender” built by the U.S. Lighthouse Service before it was merged into the Coast Guard in 1939-1940. • Historic Rescue Operations: Fir and her crew have conducted numerous search and rescue missions, including assisting vessels in distress during the severe Pacific Northwest winter storms. • Environmental Protection: The cutter is frequently involved in environmental response missions, such as oil spill containment and hazardous material response. • Multi-Mission Role: Besides navigation and environmental duties, Fir also supports law enforcement, homeland security, and fisheries patrols. • Community Engagement: The Fir crew regularly participates in community events and educates the public about maritime safety and stewardship. • Symbolic Crest: The ship’s crest features a Douglas fir tree and a lighthouse, symbolizing both the Pacific Northwest and the cutter’s heritage as a modern successor to the Lighthouse Service.