pulled 32 bales from the burning and sinking Malekula, despite efforts by smugglers to scuttle the sailboat. In October 1991, Acushnet made her first trip to the waters of Alaska. The cutter was diverted for two weeks to coordinate anti-pollution efforts when the 518-foot Hyundai No. 12 ran hard aground near the Shumagin Islands. She also responded to a mayday call made by the fishing vessel Tonquin in the Gulf of Alaska, rescuing one man out of a five-man crew from stormy and frigid waters during a five-day search. The cutter coordinated a search involving several fishing boats and a tanker in the area. As a result, three additional crew members were rescued. Alaska/Bering Sea Patrol service - 1999 to 2011 As the majority of Acushnets patrols became Alaska Patrols, in 1998 she moved to Ketchikan, Alaska, where she was employed in law enforcement, fisheries, and search and rescue missions in Alaska. This considerably shortened her transit time to the Bering Sea. On 23 February 2007 Acushnet was designated as the "oldest commissioned cutter" in the fleet following the decommissioning of USCGC Storis. She carries gold hull numbers to show this distinction, and the formal title of "Queen Of The Fleet". She was scheduled for decommissioning in late 2008. In March 2008 letters to the editor appeared in the Boston Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram calling for Boston and Portland to consider the Acushnet as a possible museum ship. The 2008 decommissioning was canceled and Acushnet continued to conduct patrols in Alaska until March 2011 when she was auctioned as surplus property by the GSA. Decommissioning On 11 March 2011, Acushnet was decommissioned and retired from active duty after more than 67 years of service. succeeded Acushnet as the Coast Guard's oldest commissioned cutter. According to the Juneau Empire Acushnets duties would be undertaken by a new Fast Response Cutter. According to the Coast Guard's 2010 budget the replacement Fast Response Cutter was not scheduled for arrival in Ketchikan until 2014. In 2022, Acushnet was acquired by Blue Water Overwatch, LLC, to serve as the flagship of their training program. Acushnet is currently undergoing restoration in Anacortes, WA and is scheduled for additional maintenance in drydock in 2023. Awards and honors Acushnet has been rewarded for outstanding service on many occasions. Her decorations include: Presidential Unit Citation Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award 2 Coast Guard Unit Commendations 6 Coast