U.S. Coast Guard crews from Cutters Anthony Petit (WLM 558), Aspen (WLB 208), Cypress (WLB 210), Elderberry (WLI 65401), Elm (WLB 204), Fir (WLB 213), Henry Blake (WLM 563) conduct a chain pulling competition during Buoy Tender Round-Up (BTR) 2026 at Coast Guard Station Juneau, Juneau, Alaska, August 19, 2026. The “Chain Pull” competition challenges the crews’ speed and efficiency in “faking out” heavy mooring chain - a foundational technique for underway buoy maintenance. This training given to buoy tender crews perpetuates the Coast Guard’s success in maintaining navigational aids that enable safe and efficient maritime operations, supporting national security and economic stability in this vital region. (U.S. Coast Guard...
SAN PEDRO, Calif. — Every day, billions of dollars in cargo move through California’s ports, carrying everything from food, fuel, vehicles and medical supplies. Most people never think about the buoys that guide ships through crowded waterways, but when one of those guides fails, the consequences could be major, threatening lives at sea, the environment and the uninterrupted flow of maritime commerce.
