USCGC Mariposa

• USCGC Mariposa (WLB-397) was a Cactus-class 180-foot seagoing buoy tender built for the United States Coast Guard during World War II. • The vessel was constructed by the Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Company in Duluth, Minnesota, and was commissioned in 1944. • USCGC Mariposa was primarily tasked with maintaining aids to navigation (ATON), such as buoys and lighthouses, along the U.S. West Coast and Alaskan waters. • During her service, Mariposa played a key role in supporting maritime operations during World War II, ensuring safe passage for military and commercial vessels. • The ship was homeported at various locations during her career, including San Francisco, California, and Seward, Alaska. • Mariposa was involved in several search and rescue operations, helping save lives and vessels in distress in the challenging waters of the Pacific and Alaska. • In addition to navigation duties, the crew often responded to emergencies such as shipwrecks, oil spills, and natural disasters. • USCGC Mariposa was equipped with a unique diesel-electric propulsion system, which was innovative for the time and provided excellent maneuverability for buoy tending. • The vessel was decommissioned in 1973 after nearly 30 years of service and later transferred to the Dominican Republic, where she served as Almirante Juan Alejandro Acosta (BM-1). • Mariposa's legacy is remembered as part of the "black hull fleet" of Coast Guard buoy tenders, known for their vital roles in maintaining maritime safety and supporting national defense.