USCGC Sycamore (WLB-209) is a United States Coast Guard seagoing buoy tender and the second vessel to bear this name, belonging to the ninth of her class, the Juniper-class. Built by Marinette Marine Corporation in Marinette, Wisconsin, she was launched in July 2001 and commissioned on July 2, 2002, in Cordova, Alaska. The vessel measures 225 feet (69 meters) in length, with a beam of 46 feet (14 meters) and a draft of 13 feet (4 meters). Her propulsion system consists of two Caterpillar diesel engines rated at 3,100 horsepower, enabling a top speed of 16 knots. Maneuverability is enhanced by a single controllable-pitch propeller, bow and stern thrusters, and advanced navigation systems, including a dynamic global positioning system and machinery controls, allowing precise station-keeping within five meters of her intended position without human intervention. Sycamore's primary mission involves tending to aids-to-navigation (ATON) within her area of responsibility, which covers Martha's Vineyard, Long Island Sound, the Hudson River, and New York City Harbor and entrances. She maintains offshore weather buoys for the National Data Buoy Center and has a buoy deck area of 2,875 square feet equipped with a crane for servicing large ocean buoys. Her design includes icebreaking capabilities of 14 inches at 3 knots and backing and ramming capability of 3 feet, supporting her in harsh conditions. Equipped with an oil-skimming system called the Spilled Oil Recovery System (SORS), Sycamore also performs environmental protection duties. Her diverse operational scope includes maritime law enforcement, marine pollution response, homeland security, search and rescue, and domestic icebreaking. Throughout her service, Sycamore has participated in notable operations such as assisting NOAA during the MV Cougar Ace salvage in 2006, responding to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, and conducting Arctic exercises in 2012. She also played a role in the international recovery operation following the Titan submersible incident in 2023. After a midlife maintenance refit completed in 2019, she was reassigned to Newport, Rhode Island, where she continues her multifaceted mission in the First Coast Guard District.

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