As guardians of the free world, how the United States Armed Forces are perceived by the citizens of other countries is of paramount importance. Consequently, they undertake a number of goodwill missions. Pursuant to this goal, the United States Coast Guard will occasionally dispatch one of its cutters to humanitarian missions in the Pacific region.

The USCG Cutter and Buoy Tender Sequoia recently had the honor of carrying out this duty, and this beautiful 225’ buoy tender did so admirably. Not only did the Sequoia aid law enforcement in performing search and rescue missions, it also collected scientific data, assisted a village’s rebuilding era, taught boat safety, and delivered humanitarian aid and supplies to the South Pacific. Wow. That’s a lot.

While based in Guam, the USCG Sequoia traveled all about the Pacific, stopping by Pohnpei, a small island approximately 1,900 miles northeast of Australia, where it gave a tour to local school children. It then distributed humanitarian aid to typhoon ravaged atolls, and, a month later, collected various floating objects which contained tracking devices that allowed scientists to track the drift of unattended objects. After this, the Sequoia continued to perform search and rescue missions and provide aid to the island nation of Poluwat, becoming the first US military vessel to visit it in the last 30 years.

The visit of a United States Coast Guard Cutter, such as the Sequoia, is a significant event to the peoples of many of these small island nations. In addition to their humanitarian efforts, such as distributing food and medicine, the US Coast Guard also teaches boat safety and, in the case of the Sequoia visit, even repaired such vital community resources as the island’s only UHF transmitter.  These efforts not only promote goodwill by being a good citizen of the world, they also help to increase the efficacy of future search and rescue efforts by teaching locals to paint their boats bright colors or carry mirrors with them when they go out to sea.

The Sequoia is but one of the 225’ Coast Guard Cutters (or Juniper Class) operating in the Pacific. Currently, the list of Juniper class cutters operating in the Pacific are: Uscgc Juniper, USCGC Willow, USCGC Kukui, USCGC Elm, USCGC Walnut, USCGC Spar, USCGC Maple, USCGC Aspen, USCGC Sycamore, USCGC Cypress, USCGC Oak, USCGC Hickory, USCGC Fir, USCGC Hollyhock, USCGC Sequoia, USCGC Alder.

Handcrafted Model Ships is proud to offer an exact model of the Juniper class, which comes complete with a nameplate that can, by customer order, by changed to any of these beautiful ships. Simply specify what you want the plaque to read at the time of your order. These model boats are ideal gifts for anyone whose family proudly includes present of past sailors in the US Coast Guard.

The handsome model and base add a touch of class to any home or office decor, so order yours today!