USCGC CAPE GEORGE

• Class and Type: USCGC CAPE GEORGE (WPB-95322) was a 95-foot Cape-class patrol boat, designed for search and rescue (SAR), law enforcement, and military readiness. • Commissioning: The vessel was commissioned in 1959, part of a fleet of Cape-class cutters constructed during the post-WWII era to modernize the Coast Guard's fleet. • Homeports: Over her service life, CAPE GEORGE was stationed at various locations, including Cape May, New Jersey, and later, Port Angeles, Washington. • Cuban Exodus Operations: In the 1960s and early 1970s, CAPE GEORGE was involved in patrolling the Florida Straits during the Cuban exodus, intercepting refugee boats and providing humanitarian aid. • Vietnam War Service: Some Cape-class cutters were deployed to Vietnam under Operation Market Time, but CAPE GEORGE remained stateside, supporting stateside SAR and law enforcement missions. • Narcotics Interdiction: During the 1970s and 1980s, CAPE GEORGE participated in several high-profile drug interdictions, helping to stem the flow of illegal narcotics into the US. • Maritime Rescues: The cutter is credited with saving numerous lives in dramatic rescue operations throughout its career, responding to distressed vessels in treacherous weather. • Modernization: CAPE GEORGE and other Cape-class cutters received several upgrades over their service life, including improved radar, navigation systems, and communications gear. • Decommissioning: CAPE GEORGE was decommissioned in 1990 as the Coast Guard replaced the Cape-class with newer, more capable patrol boats. • Legacy: The name CAPE GEORGE honors a geographic cape in Washington State, and the vessel is remembered for decades of distinguished service, embodying the Coast Guard's motto: "Semper Paratus" – Always Ready.