USCGC Tampa ( WMEC - 902 ) USCGC " Tampa " ( WMEC - 902 ) is a United States Coast Guard medium endurance cutter . She was commissioned 16 March 1984 . Her motto , " Thy way is the sea , thy path in the great waters " , matches the inscription that is engraved on the memorial at Arlington National Cemetery for the 131 persons lost following the sinking of a previous cutter " Tampa " on September 18 , 1918 . Mission . As part of the " Legacy Fleet " , " Tampa " recently underwent a nine - month Mission Effectiveness Project ( MEP ) at the United States Coast Guard Yard . MEP is designed to extend " Tampa " ' s operational life until the deployment of a new line of cutters from the Coast Guard ' s Deepwater Program . With current and future updates of Deepwater electronics systems , a unique computer system and a modern array of weapons , " Tampa " is dramatically different from the half - century old vessels it replaced . " Tampa " is a multi - mission ship with five primary missions : maritime law enforcement , search and rescue , homeland security , national defense and international engagement . " Tampa " ' s state - of - the - art command , control and communications abilities provide the tools to make the cutter a valuable asset for all missions and an integral player in providing the Coast Guard and the nation Maritime Domain Awareness . Among these is the SCCS - 270 system . SCCS - 270 is a computer system that aids in controlling shipboard operations and reduces manning requirements . SCCS - 270 receives information from multiple sources and displays it on several monitors on the bridge and in CIC ( Combat Information Center ) . Operators use the displayed information primarily for navigation and to track other vessels and aircraft . This system also allows for the sharing of information with other vessels and commands via a satellite link . " Tampa " operates primarily in the littoral waters of the United States and throughout the Caribbean to ensure homeland security and enforce immigration , fisheries , customs , and environmental laws , along with the more visible drug interdiction laws . " Tampa " is a front - line unit in the nation ' s " War on Drugs " and has seized numerous drug smuggling vessels . In 1994 , " Tampa " was involved with the rescue and return of several thousand Haitians and Cubans during mass migrations from these nations . In September 2005 , following the devastating landfall of Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast of the United States , The crew of the " Tampa " ( on board the " Harriet Lane " ) acted as gatekeeper to the mouth of the Mississippi ensuring the safety and movement of commerce from offshore . " Tampa " later moved upriver to ensure the safety and security of ports and waterways , and support rescue and recovery operations in downtown New Orleans . To aid in the performance of its missions , " Tampa " is able to launch , land , and service the Coast Guard ' s HH - 65 Dolphin and MH - 68 Stingray helicopters . Safety of shipboard helicopter operations is enhanced with the use of Tampa ' s dynamic fin stabilizing system , which reduces the roll of the ship . To maintain military readiness , " Tampa " conducts exercises with the U . S . Navy . This training , which includes ship ' s weapons exercises , damage control drills , and navigation exercises , ensures that " Tampa " remains a fully capable naval combatant in a time of war or other hostilities . In 2000 , " Tampa " deployed to South America in support of U . S . Southern Command and participated in UNITAS 41 - 00 , an annual naval exercise between U . S . and South American Forces . In 2004 , " Tampa " deployed to the Mediterranean and Black Sea in support of U . S . European Command and conducted training with numerous friends and allies in the region .