On 1 August 2006 '' Sycamore '' assisted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ) by transporting a towing assessment team to the stricken vessel MV '' Cougar Ace '' which was listing severely and in danger of sinking . She further assisted NOAA contract salvors by providing soundings in the area of the proposed mooring for the '' Cougar Ace '' and monitored the tow for oil spills while escorting the salvors T/T '' Gladiator '' and T/T '' Sea Victory '' . '' Sycamore '' enforced a security zone during the tow . During July 2010 '' Sycamore '' responded to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill by transiting the Panama Canal . During the summer of 2012 '' Sycamore '' participated in Operation Arctic Shield 2012 accompanied by , , and sister ship while conducting exercises in oil spill skimming under arctic conditions as well as exercises with NORTHCOM and the U.S. Navy . On 28 July 2013 , the tug '' Krystal Sea '' was maneuvering an attached barge and the barge struck the port bow section of the moored '' Sycamore '' causing damage to the railings and deck
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
USCGC Sycamore (WLB-209)