History
Keeper Class Coastal Buoy Tender
United States Coast Guard Cutter HENRY BLAKE is the thirteenth of the Keeper
Class of the Coastal Buoy Tenders. The Keeper Class is made up of 14 technically
advanced and highly capable buoy tenders. Automated engineering controls
and computer-based navigation and communications systems will assist her
small crew in servicing aids to navigation.
Constructed by Marinette Marine Corporation in Marinette, Wisconsin. HENRY
BLAKE was placed in Commission, Special on the 18th of May 2000 and began
her journey of over 9,400 nautical miles over a six month period which included
port calls in 4 countries and 11 states on her way to her home port in Everett,
Washington, which she arrived at on the 14th of September 2000. 
A
land based cutter support team (CST) of eight additional personnel will
augment HENRY BLAKE’s crew of 20. With billions of dollars worth of
cargo that is transported annually through the Puget Sound and San Juan
Island area, HENRY BLAKE and her crew have thee critical task of ensuring
the waterways in this environmentally sensitive area are safe for navigation.
HENRY BLAKE is responsible for the maintenance of 80 lighted, 39 unlighted,
and 65 shore aids to navigation. Additionally, HENRY BLAKE will perform
other Coast Guard missions that include Search and Rescue, Maritime Law
Enforcement and Marine Environmental Protection.
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