USCGC Hollyhock (WLB-214)

• Second Vessel with the Name: USCGC Hollyhock (WLB-214) is the second Coast Guard vessel to bear the name “Hollyhock,” succeeding the original USCGC Hollyhock (WAGL-220), which served from 1937 to 1982. • Juniper-class Seagoing Buoy Tender: Hollyhock is a Juniper-class 225-foot seagoing buoy tender, part of a modern fleet designed for maintaining aids to navigation and performing other Coast Guard missions. • Commissioned in 2003: The cutter was commissioned on June 7, 2003, and is homeported in Port Huron, Michigan. • Named After a Flower: The cutter's name, “Hollyhock,” refers to the hollyhock flower, following the tradition of naming buoy tenders after plants and flowers. • Great Lakes Operations: Hollyhock operates primarily in the Great Lakes, servicing more than 150 aids to navigation and playing a crucial role in keeping shipping lanes clear. • Icebreaking Capabilities: Equipped with an ice-strengthened hull, Hollyhock can break ice up to 3 feet thick, assisting commercial and Coast Guard vessels during harsh winter months. • Search and Rescue Missions: In addition to buoy tending, Hollyhock has participated in numerous search and rescue operations, including responding to distressed mariners and vessels. • 2014 Collision: On January 5, 2014, Hollyhock collided with the freighter Mesabi Miner while icebreaking in the St. Clair River. Both vessels sustained damage, but no injuries were reported. • Environmental Protection: The cutter is equipped and trained to respond to oil spills and other environmental emergencies in the Great Lakes region. • Community Engagement: Hollyhock regularly participates in public outreach, tours, and educational events in Port Huron and throughout the Great Lakes, helping to foster community relations and awareness of the Coast Guard’s mission.