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USCG Aids to Navigation Craft

Juniper Class Seagoing Buoy Tender Profile Drawings by George Bieda

The USCGC Juniper WLB 201 was the first ship in this class, commissioned in 1996. These ships were ordered to replace the aging buoy tender fleet that was first built during WW II. These ships have advanced maneuverability, control, and navigational systems that allow them to efficiently perform their function in offshore and restricted waters.

Pictured below are several examples of George Bieda's profile drawings of the ships of the Juniper Class. The drawing of the USCGC Willow WLB 202 shows the type of personalization that can be added at no additional cost to make your purchase truly unique. Click on any image for a larger view, then click you brower's BACK button to return here.


USCGC Willow WLB 202	USCGC Walnut WLB 205	USCGC Sequoia WLB 215

The Juniper Class Seagoing Buoy Tenders by George E. Bieda
Qty: Price: $49.99
Ship:

Print Options:

(Click Here For Any Questions About Framed Prints)
Year(s) Served Aboard Her (e.g. 1998-2000):

(If you tell us when you were aboard, we will try to depict her EXACTLY as you remember.)
Personalization? (Limit 3 Lines):

(CLICK HERE For Any Questions About Personalization)

"The USCGC Cowslip" by William RaVell III

This 180" buoy tender served the Coast Guard from 1941 to 1973. USCGC Cowslip WLB 277 was re-purchased and re-commissioned in 1981, and served until 2002. In 2003 she was transferred to the Nigerian Navy. COWSLIP provided convoy protection during WWII, and at the end of hostilities resumed her peacetime missions to service Aids To Navigation, enforce fisheries and safety regulations, perform search and rescue, and drug interdiction. The original painting, upon which this print is based, was purchased by a former crew member. Click the thumbnail for a larger view, then click your browser's BACK button to return here.

The 180 ft. Buoy Tenders Profile Drawings by George Bieda

This ship category is made up of three classes, the Cactus Class , the Mesquite Class, and the Iris Class. Each succeeding class was built with slight improvements to the design (such as more powerful engines) though the overall dimensions remained the same. The 180 footers were all built in the early 1940s, with members of each class serving into the 21st century. They saw extensive service in WW II, and played important roles in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Orignally designated as WAGLs, this was changed to WLB in 1965. By entering your years of service where indicated in the order form, we will be sure your drawing carries the correct one!

Here are three examples of George Bieda's profile drawings of the 13 ships in the Cactus Class (Class A 180 ft Buoy Tenders). You can click on the thumbnail image to get a larger image, than click your brower's BACK button to return here.


USCGC Balsam WLB 62	USCGC Sorrel WAGL 296	USCGC Citrus WLB 300
1968 - 1975	1946 - 1965	1978 - 1979

Cactus Class (Class A) 180 ft. Buoy Tenders
by George E. Bieda
Qty: Price: $49.99
Ship:

Print Options:

(Click Here For Any Questions About Framed Prints)
Year(s) Served Aboard Her (e.g. 1955-57):

(If you tell us when you were aboard, we will try to depict her EXACTLY as you remember.)
Personalization? (Limit 3 Lines):

(CLICK HERE For Any Questions About Personalization)

There are only 6 ships in the Mesquite Class (Class B) of 180 ft. Buoy Tenders. We offer profile drawings of all of them, as shown in the three examples below . The drawing of MESQUITE shows her in her WW II paint scheme. This is a great example of how George Bieda can configure the ship's profile to match nearly any time period .


USCGC Mesquite WAGL 305	USCGC Buttonwood WLB 306	USCGC Papaw WLB 308

Mesquite Class (Class B) 180 ft. Buoy Tenders
by George E. Bieda
Qty: Price: $49.99
Ship:

Print Options:

(Click Here For Any Questions About Framed Prints)
Year(s) Served Aboard Her (e.g. 1955-57):

(If you tell us when you were aboard, we will try to depict her EXACTLY as you remember.)
Personalization? (Limit 3 Lines):

(CLICK HERE For Any Questions About Personalization)

The Class C, or Iris Class, was comprised of 20 ships. USCGC Acacia was the last of the 180 ft Bouy Tenders in service, having been decommissioned in 2006. Several examples are presented below. To see a larger image, click on the thumbnail, then click your browser's BACK button to return here.


USCGC Basswood WLB 388	USCGC Mallow WLB 396	USCGC Woodrush WLB 407

Iris Class (Class C) 180 ft. Buoy Tenders
by George E. Bieda
Qty: Price: $49.99
Ship:

Print Options:

(Click Here For Any Questions About Framed Prints)
Year(s) Served Aboard Her (e.g. 1955-57):

(If you tell us when you were aboard, we will try to depict her EXACTLY as you remember.)
Personalization? (Limit 3 Lines):

(CLICK HERE For Any Questions About Personalization)

Ida Lewis Class Coastal Buoy Tender Profile Drawings by George Bieda

Shown here is the 175-FT USCGC William Tate (WLM-560) of the Ida Lewis class. These advanced-capability coastal buoy tenders were built to replace the Balsam Class WLBs. Because all vessels are named for lighthouse "keepers," this class is also commonly referred to as the Keeper class. Click on the thumbnail image for a larger view, then click your browser's BACK button to return here. Be sure to select a ship and print options when ordering!

The Ida Lewis/Keeper Class Coastal Buoy Tenders by George E. Bieda
Qty: Price: $49.99
Ship:

Print Options:

(Click Here For Any Questions About Framed Prints)
Year(s) Served Aboard Her (e.g. 1997-99):

(If you tell us when you were aboard, we will try to depict her EXACTLY as you remember.)
Personalization? (Limit 3 Lines):

(CLICK HERE For Any Questions About Personalization)

Red Class Coastal Buoy Tender Profile Drawings by George Bieda

All five of these buoy and navigation aid tenders were stricken by 1996. But these 157-FT tenders, built between 1964 and 1971, enjoyed a long and storied service life. Shown here is the USCGC Red Beech (WLM-686). Click on the thumbnail image for a larger view, then click your browser's BACK button to return here. Be sure to select a ship and print options when ordering!

Improved Berry Class Inland Buoy Tender Profile Drawings by George Bieda

Shown here is the 65-FT inland buoy tender USCGC Elderberry (WLI-65401). Similar to the basic Berry Class, these improved models had a more powerful propulsion plant. Click on the thumbnail image for a larger view, then click your browser's BACK button to return here. Be sure to select a ship and print options when ordering!

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