USCGC Bramble ( WLB - 392 ) USCGC " Bramble " ( WLB - 392 ) is one of the 39 original seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942 - 1944 for the United States Coast Guard . " Bramble " is currently a museum ship , part of Port Huron Museum , located in Port Huron , Michigan . She will be closed to the public effective August 14 , 2011 , owing to a lack of funds . The Port Huron Museum hopes to sell the Bramble for $ 300 , 000 . The ship was built by the Zenith Dredge Company in Duluth , Minnesota . " Bramble ' s " preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the final design was produced by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth . On 2 August 1943 the keel was laid , she was launched on 23 October 1943 and commissioned on 22 April 1944 . The original cost for the hull and machinery was $ 925 , 464 . Service history . 1944 – 1957 . In the spring on 1945 , she departed the Great Lakes to her first homeport of San Pedro , California , to perform aids to navigation duties . Later that year , " Bramble " was transferred to Juneau , Alaska , for supply and aids to navigation work around the Aleutian Islands . After World War II , " Bramble ' s " homeport was changed to San Francisco . Except for a brief stay in Hawaii in 1946 , she remained assigned to San Francisco until 1949 . From July to October 1947 , " Bramble " participated in " Operation Crossroads " , the first test of an atomic bomb ' s effect on surface ships , at Bikini Island . In 1949 " Bramble " was reassigned to San Juan , Puerto Rico and moved again in 1953 to Miami , Florida . About this time renewed interest in the Northwest Passage brought about another mission for " Bramble " . Northwest Passage , 1957 . The Coast Guard Cutters " Bramble " , and were selected to attempt a forced passage along the northern shore of Canada from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean . Preparations for the difficult voyage included fitting " Bramble " with a stainless steel propeller and strengthening her bow to withstand tremendous pressures created by the Arctic ice pack . " Bramble " departed for this historic adventure from Miami on 24 May 1957 en route Seattle , Washington via the Panama Canal . On 1 July 1957 the task force departed Seattle for the Atlantic via the Bering Straits and Arctic Ocean . The ships traveled through of semi - charted water in 64 days to recross the Arctic Circle into the Atlantic . The success of the mission distinguished the three cutters as the first American surface ships to circumnavigate the North American continent . On 2 December 1957 " Bramble " returned to Miami . 1957 – 1985 . In 1962 " Bramble " transferred to Detroit , Michigan to perform the missions of aids to navigation , search and rescue , icebreaking and law enforcement throughout the Great Lakes . " Bramble " completed a major renovation and overhaul in 1974 , during which her engines were removed and rebuilt and her berthing areas were expanded and modernized . A new hydraulic boom was also installed . Upon completion of the major renovation in September 1975 , " Bramble " reported to Port Huron , Michigan . In addition to her normal duties , " Bramble " was involved in some unique missions . She frequently served as the Patrol Commander for the Port Huron - to - Mackinac sailboat race . This race started in 1925 and is one of the largest freshwater sailboat races in the country , with an average of 300 boats competing each year . " Bramble " also set buoys for the International Freedom Festival in the Detroit River . 1986 – 1998 . From December 1986 to April 1987 , " Bramble " performed law enforcement duties in the Caribbean . " Bramble " was involved in six cases during which one vessel was seized , three persons arrested and 50 tons of marijuana confiscated . From June to November 1989 , " Bramble " again underwent major renovations in Toledo , Ohio . Her original engines were replaced with General Motors electromotive Division EMD - 645 V - 8 diesel engines . New 200 kW ship ' s service generators , boilers , associated plumbing and electrical cable were also part of the project . 1994 marked the Golden ( 50th ) Anniversary of " Bramble ' s " commissioning , along with her Great Lakes sister ships , homeported in Charlevoix , Michigan , and , homeported in Duluth , Minnesota . From December 1997 to April 1998 the " Bramble " was involved in " Operation Snowbird . " This took the cutter to the Caribbean , where the main mission was to help train marine police of 10 eastern Caribbean nations . While there , the crew also performed work on aids to navigation and participated with Venezuela in a joint law enforcement operation . During this operation " Bramble " steamed over 12 , 165 miles . 1998 – 2003 . Aids to navigation was " Bramble ' s " primary mission ; aids to navigation assist the merchant fleet and private vessels in safely navigating waterways . " Bramble ' s " area of responsibility included eastern Lake Erie , southern Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay . " Bramble " was responsible for maintaining 187 buoys , 1 NOAA weather buoy , and three fog signals . During winter months " Bramble ' s " capabilities as an icebreaker enabled her to escort ships through the ice , assist ships in distress and break ice for relief . " Bramble " primarily deployed twice a year for buoy operations . In late fall or early winter , " Bramble " spent between eight - ten weeks " buoy decommissioning " – removing buoys and installing temporary winter marks ( small buoys not normally damaged by ice ) . During this period approximately 101 lighted buoys would be decommissioned . Then , starting in early spring as the lake ice season began to subside , " Bramble " started the eight - ten week " buoy commissioning " season to replace winter marks with regular buoys . Along with commissioning the buoys , there were approximately 86 unlighted aids that had to be serviced and inspected in the spring . Her winter months were normally spent , when not icebreaking , undergoing maintenance and training ; her summer months were usually spent in regularly scheduled drydock or dockside availabilities , training conferences and festival celebrations throughout the lakes . With new technology evolving , the new " Juniper " - class cutters began to replace the 180s ' . The new cutters have the primary mission of buoy tending , but also are able to perform multiple missions like their predecessor . The 225 ' s also are able to help with environmental cleanups , search and rescue , law enforcement and icebreaking . On 22 May 2003 , the " Bramble " was decommissioned . Her replacement was the " Juniper " - class cutter . " Bramble " is now a museum ship , and is docked at the Seaway Terminal as part of Port Huron Museum . Current status . In January 2013 the ship was purchased by Robert B Klingler of Marine City , MI , who created the company USCGC Bramble LLC . The plans are to restore and open the ship as a museum . Awards . Throughout " Bramble ' s " service it was awarded many awards and ribbons . She received the Department of Transportation Gold Medal , CG Unit Commendation , CG Meritorious Unit Commendation , CG " E " Ribbon , CG Bicentennial Unit Commendation , American Campaign Medal , WWII Victory Ribbon , National Defense Service Medal , Arctic Service Medal and the Special Operations Service Ribbon .