USCGC Woodrush (WLB-407)

• Commissioned in 1944: USCGC Woodrush (WLB-407) was launched on September 14, 1944, and commissioned into service on November 5, 1944, during World War II. • Iris-class Buoy Tender: Woodrush was one of 39 Iris-class 180-foot seagoing buoy tenders built for the U.S. Coast Guard, designed for aids-to-navigation, icebreaking, and search and rescue. • Alaskan Service: Woodrush spent much of her career in Alaska, based out of Sitka and later Cordova, helping maintain navigation aids in the challenging waters of the region. • Rescue of SS Prinsendam: In October 1980, Woodrush played a critical role in the rescue of passengers and crew from the burning cruise ship SS Prinsendam in the Gulf of Alaska, saving hundreds of lives in treacherous conditions. • Icebreaking Capabilities: Woodrush was equipped for light icebreaking duties, often clearing paths for vessels in frozen waters and assisting with winter navigation. • Service During Exxon Valdez Oil Spill: The cutter was among the Coast Guard units responding to the Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster in Prince William Sound in 1989, assisting in cleanup and response. • Longest-Serving Iris-class Cutter: By the time of her decommissioning in 2001, Woodrush was the oldest and longest-serving Iris-class cutter in the Coast Guard. • Vietnam War Service: In 1968, Woodrush deployed to Vietnam in support of Operation Market Time, conducting coastal surveillance and interdiction missions. • Decommissioned in 2001: After 57 years of service, Woodrush was decommissioned on March 10, 2001, at Duluth, Minnesota. • Sold to Ghana: After decommissioning, Woodrush was transferred to the Ghana Navy and renamed GNS Anzone (P30), where she continued her service as a patrol vessel.