The USCGC Steadfast (WMEC-623) was a United States Coast Guard medium endurance cutter with a distinguished 56-year service history. Commissioned in 1968, she initially operated out of St. Petersburg, Florida, where she served for her first 24 years. In 1992, the vessel was decommissioned for Major Maintenance Availability (MMA) to extend her operational lifespan by an additional 25 years. Following extensive upgrades, she was re-commissioned in February 1994 and re-based in Astoria, Oregon, until her final decommissioning on February 1, 2024. Throughout her service, Steadfast played a vital role in maritime law enforcement and search and rescue operations. She participated in over 330 search and rescue cases, interdicted more than 1.6 million pounds of marijuana, and seized over 65 vessels involved in illegal activities. Additionally, she confiscated approximately 27,700 pounds of cocaine and interdicted over 3,500 undocumented migrants attempting to enter the United States illegally at sea. Her aggressive enforcement posture earned her the nickname "El Tiburón Blanco" (The White Shark) from Colombian drug smugglers in the 1970s, symbolizing her reputation as a nemesis to illegal drug operations. The cutter is one of only two vessels to display a gold marijuana leaf on her superstructure, commemorating her role in significant drug seizures. Notably, Steadfast coordinated the search following the 1978 crash of Douglas DC-3 N407D in the Caribbean Sea, although the aircraft and all onboard were never recovered. Her long service was marked by her resilience and dedication to maritime security. After decommissioning, she was transferred to the Excess Defense Article program and eventually sold to Malaysia, where she was commissioned as KM Bendahara. She arrived in Malaysia in late 2025, continuing her legacy of maritime enforcement in Southeast Asia.

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