History
The keel for the Oak was laid on July 30, 2001 at Marinette Marine Corporation in Wisconsin. "Oak" was launched on January 26, 2002. The ship's sponsor was Mrs. Billye Brown, wife of Congressman Henry E. Brown (R-SC). "Oak" made the trip from Marinette, Wisconsin to Charleston, SC and was commissioned on March 7, 2003, the first Coast Guard cutter to be commissioned following the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. The Oak took Aids to Navigation responsibility for the waterways of decommissioned USCGC Madrona, USCGC Laurel and USCGC Papaw and regularly sees duty throughout the Southeast U.S. and Caribbean.
The Oak has been involved in Operation Unified Response following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, primarily to clear debris from and repair Port international de Port-au-Prince, the damaged seaport in Port-au-Prince. She was dispatched immediately following the quake, stopping in Miami, Florida on the way to stock with relief supplies. The vessel arrived on January 17, about six days after the disaster struck. She and the Navy salvage ship USNS Grasp were tasked with returning the wharves to operation.
Read more about this topic: USCGC Oak (WLB-211)
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“Gossip is charming! History is merely gossip. But scandal is gossip made tedious by morality.”
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)
“It is remarkable how closely the history of the apple tree is connected with that of man.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Three million of such stones would be needed before the work was done. Three million stones of an average weight of 5,000 pounds, every stone cut precisely to fit into its destined place in the great pyramid. From the quarries they pulled the stones across the desert to the banks of the Nile. Never in the history of the world had so great a task been performed. Their faith gave them strength, and their joy gave them song.”
—William Faulkner (1897–1962)