In a bittersweet transition for Alaska’s maritime community, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mustang will lower its flag for the last time next week, marking the end of an extraordinary 39-year career that far exceeded its original 10-year design life.

The 110-foot Island-class cutter, which has called Seward home since its commissioning in 1986, began its legacy of service before even reaching its home port. En route from its Louisiana shipyard, the crew received their first distress call near Ketchikan – several hunters had failed to return. The rescue set the tone for nearly four decades of maritime guardianship, with the Mustang’s crew successfully locating and transporting the stranded hunters to safety.

“The Mustang was the first patrol boat assigned to the North Pacific and one of seven Island-class patrol boats serving in Alaska,” says Commanding Officer Gabby Troise. The vessel has responded to approximately 200 search and rescue missions annually, earning its reputation as the sentinel of the North Pacific.

One particularly memorable rescue, Troise recalls, involved a disabled sailing vessel off Kayak Island. With one crew member’s hand burned, their motor dead, and sails jammed, the situation looked grim. The Mustang’s crew navigated through 10-foot waves in darkness to tow the vessel safely to Cordova, exemplifying the dedication that has defined the cutter’s service.

Greg Haas, past Mustang commander and current Seward resident, remembers the Mustang fondly. “I think her story is a special one in Alaska history. Such a long period of service, so intertwined within her community. Her impact is well beyond responding to our dangerous waters; my time here while active duty inspired me to return, which is true for many other past crew members. Seward is special, MUSTANG is special, and together they have changed my life for the better.”

The Mustang’s retirement marks the end of an era for Seward. While its crew of 17 will disperse to new assignments across the country, the vessel itself will find a second life in South America. A larger cutter will take over its duties but will operate from Kodiak, with command operations based in Anchorage.

For those wishing to bid farewell to this stalwart guardian of Alaska’s waters, the Mustang will be open for public viewing at X float off Port Avenue on Friday, April 11 (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and Monday, April 14 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.).