USCGC ''Neah Bay'' (WTGB-105) is the fifth vessel of the built in 1980 and operated by the
United States Coast Guard. The ship was named after a
bay
A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a Gulf (geography), gulf, sea, sound (geography), sound, or bight (geogra ...
located within the
state of Washington
Washington (), officially the State of Washington, is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. Named for George Washington—the first U.S. president—the state was formed from the western part of the Washington ...
and bordered by
Puget Sound.
Design
The 140-foot Bay-class tugboats are operated primarily for domestic
ice breaking duties. They are named after American bays and are stationed mainly in the
northeast United States and the
Great Lakes.
WTGBs use a low pressure air hull lubrication or bubbler system that forces air and water between the hull and ice. This system improves icebreaking capabilities by reducing resistance against the hull, reducing
horsepower requirements.
Construction and career
''Neah Bay'' was
laid down by the
Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., in
Tacoma,
Washington on 6 August 1979. She was
launched on 16 February 1980 and later
commissioned in
Cleveland, on 25 October 1980.
A
Himalayan cat named Casca in which was rescued by
Lt. Commander
Lieutenant commander (also hyphenated lieutenant-commander and abbreviated Lt Cdr, LtCdr. or LCDR) is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander. The corresponding rank i ...
Molly Waters during a stint in
Alaska, now sits on board the ship.
On 3 February 2021, ''Neah Bay'' and were deployed to assist in the
St. Clair River flooding.
Awards
*
Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation
The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC), originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the uniformed services of the United States, and those of allied countries, for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed ene ...
*
Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award
The Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award was a U.S. government unit decoration which was established in 1994. The Presidential Unit Citation and Joint Meritorious Unit Award are considered senior to the Secretary of Transportatio ...
*
Coast Guard Unit Commendation
*
Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation
*
Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation
*
National Defense Service Medal
*
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
*
Humanitarian Service Medal
*
Transportation 9-11 Ribbon
The Transportation 9-11 Ribbon is a civil and military decoration of the U.S. Department of Transportation that was issued to both civilians and military personnel who, through service with the United States Department of Transportation, contribute ...
*
Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon
The Special Operations Service Ribbon is a service award of the United States Coast Guard which was first created 1 July 1987 by order of Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Paul A. Yost Jr. The award is authorized for certain acts of non-comb ...
*
Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon
References
United States Coast Guard home page
External links
United States Coast Guard: Neah Bay
TogetherWeServed: Neah Bay Crew Members
{{DEFAULTSORT:Neah Bay (WTGB-105)
Bay-class icebreaking tugs
1980 ships
Ships built in Tacoma, Washington
Military units and formations in Ohio