The USCGC Nettle (WAK-169) was a United States Coast Guard coastal freighter originally built as a Design 381 vessel for the U.S. Army Transportation Corps during World War II. Constructed by Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in Decatur, Alabama, she was commissioned on January 18, 1945, as USS FS-396. This vessel was designed for cargo operations, supporting the U.S. Army's logistical needs in the Pacific Theater, notably carrying supplies to Kwajalein Atoll. She was manned by Coast Guard personnel for a year, serving as a cargo ship until her decommissioning on January 18, 1946. In 1947, FS-396 was transferred to the Coast Guard and refitted for use as an aids to navigation tender, subsequently being recommissioned as USCGC Nettle on October 1 of that year (WAK-169). From 1947 to 1952, she operated primarily in the Marshall Islands, hauling supplies and equipment to Kwajalein. In 1952, her home port shifted to Guam, where she provided logistical support for multiple LORAN stations across the Pacific, including Ulithi, Saipan, Cocos, Kwajalein, and Kwadak Island, and maintained aids to navigation at Tinian and Rota in the Mariana Islands. In August 1953, Nettle's home port was moved to Naval Station Sangley Point in Cavite, Philippines. She continued her support mission, servicing LORAN stations at Bataan, Batanes, Naulo Point, Zambales, Talumpulan, Busuanga, Tarumpitao Point, Palawan, and Panay. Notably, on September 1, 1958, Nettle responded to a capsized junk, Low Kow Wong How, rescuing two crew members and assisting in righting the vessel. She also participated in a search and rescue operation on August 2, 1962, searching for survivors of a downed U.S. Navy P5M seaplane near Caballo Island, though no survivors were found. In May 1966, Nettle delivered construction materials from Bangkok for a new LORAN station at Con Son Island. On January 9, 1968, Nettle was transferred to the Philippine Coast Guard and renamed BRP Limasawa (AE-79). Throughout her service, USCGC Nettle played a vital role in logistical support, navigation aid servicing, and search and rescue operations across the Pacific Ocean, underscoring her maritime significance in supporting U.S. and allied navigation and safety efforts in the region.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.