The Buoy Tender James Rankin patrols the Chesapeake during OpSail 2000. OpSail-Operation Sail-is a series of sailing events held to celebrate special occasions and features sailing vessels from around the world. The event is coordinated by the non-profit Operation Sail, Inc., which was established in 1961 to promote good will and cooperation between countries while providing sail training and celebrating maritime history. The group and their goals were endorsed by President John F. Kennedy-himself an ardent seaman-in 1963.The cutter is the fifth of the 14 cutters of the Keeper Class of coastal buoy tenders. The James Rankin and her sister ships form a fleet of technically advanced and highly capable buoy tenders. Homeported at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Baltimore, Md., the cutter and her crew are responsible for maintenance of over 400 buoys in the Upper Chesapeake Bay and it's tributaries including the Potomac River.
