USCGC Alder (WLB 216)

Description

USCGC Alder (WLB-216) is the final Juniper-class, 225-foot (69 m) seagoing buoy tender of the United States Coast Guard. Alder is designed as a multi-mission vessel, with its missions being Aids to Navigation, Icebreaking, Search and Rescue, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and Marine Environmental Protection.

USCGC Alder was built by Marinette Marine Corporation and launched on February 7, 2004. USCGCAlder‘s maiden voyage was on September 12, 2004. From commissioning until August 2022, Alder was assigned to Duluth, Minnesota as its home port. USCGC Alder replaced the previous cutter stationed in Duluth, USCGC Sundew, which retired after 60 years of service.

In the summer of 2021, USCGC Alder was temporarily relocated to Baltimore, Maryland for a yearlong maintenance period. In August 2022, she was reassigned to the San Francisco Bay area. Her duties in the Twin Ports of Duluth/Superior were taken over by her sister tender USCGC Spar (WLB-206).

Homeported in San Francisco, CA U.S. Coast Guard Cutter ALDER (WLB 216) is a seagoing buoy tender that maintains aids to navigation along the California Coast, promoting economic security through navigation safety of the Marine Transportation System.

USCGC ALDER is responsible for 75 buoys from her homeport north to the Oregon border and south to the Mexico border.  A true multi-mission platform, the ship can also support search & rescue, living marine resources, maritime law enforcement, environmental protection, national defense and homeland security missions.  The crew also assists the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Data Buoy Center maintain offshore weather buoys critical to mariner safety at sea.

Minted from brass, and finished with a two-tone shiny gold and nickel plating, this coin pays tribute to the USCGC Alder (WLB 216) and salutes the exceptional service of her crew. The obverse displays the insignia of the USCGC Alder (WLB 216) with their motto “Regnator A Mare” meaning “Ruler of the Sea” highlighted with colorful enamel. The reverse contains a port view of the USCGC Alder (WLB 216) dutifully at sailing in the San Francisco’s Golden Gate Straight, imbued with bold enamel along the edge.

Each coin measures 1 3/4 inch (44mm) in diameter.