The USS Amber (PYc-6) was originally constructed as a private yacht named Infanta in 1930, built at Long Beach, California by Craig Shipbuilding. Designed by Ted Geary, the vessel was a motor yacht measuring approximately 118 feet in length with a gross tonnage of 253 GRT. Its powerplant consisted of two 275-horsepower Atlas-Imperial diesel engines driving twin propellers, enabling it to serve as a luxurious and capable vessel. Initially owned by actor John Barrymore, Infanta was a gift to his wife, actress Dolores Costello. The yacht was used sparingly, as Barrymore preferred sailing and had issues with alcoholism. By 1935, Infanta had become a significant part of Barrymore’s net worth, valued at over $56,000. In 1937, the yacht was auctioned due to mortgage issues and was renamed Polaris under new owners Edward and Kathryn Lowe, based in San Francisco and home-ported in Juneau, Alaska. The United States Navy acquired the vessel on 23 December 1940, converting her for military use at Winslow Marine Railway and Shipbuilding Co. She was renamed Amber on 10 January 1941 and commissioned at Seattle on 3 March 1941. As USS Amber (PYc-6), she served primarily in the Pacific Northwest, operating along the coasts of Washington and Alaska. Her duties included patrols around Seattle, Tacoma, Port Townsend, Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, and Astoria, Oregon. In August 1941, she traveled to Alaska for patrols and returned to Seattle in September. She continued patrol duties into late 1944 before being decommissioned on 18 October 1944 and struck from the Navy list in November. Post-war, Amber was sold back to her former owners in June 1945 and subsequently sold to Macco Construction Company, serving as a freighter and for geological surveys. In 1950, she was purchased by the Foss Launch and Tug Company of Tacoma, Washington, and restored as the company yacht Thea Foss. As of 2015, she remains in service under Saltchuk Resources Inc., continuing her long maritime career and serving as a vessel for customer and guest enjoyment, including visits by notable figures such as King Olaf of Norway in 1975.

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