SHIELD
Azure, a life ring Gules, garnished Argent, superimposed by a representation of the Gold Lifesaving Medal.
CREST
From a wreath Argent and Azure, eight lightning bolts Gules radiating from behind a pellet, charged with a Tano Indian sun symbol of the first, detailed Sable, all between a bunch of buckeye leaves fruited and sugar maple leaves Proper.
MOTTO
A scroll Or, edged Gules, and garnished Argent, inscribed in Latin FORTITUDO ILLIMITATAE of the second.
SUPPORTERS
Behind the shield, a boat hook and an oar in saltire Proper.
SHIELD
Red, white and blue are the colors traditionally associated with the Coast Guard. The life ring pays homage to Keeper Winslow Griessers heroic actions that occurred on November 21, 1900, three miles southwest of the Buffalo Life-Saving Station. During a rescue attempt, Keeper Griesser discovered that one crewmember was stranded, holding onto a pile. Griesser swam out to the survivor and threw him a line which was soon fouled on the piling by rough waves. After fifteen minutes of struggling, Keeper Griesser freed the line, and the man was pulled to the beach by those ashore. Exhausted, Griesser swam back to shore and collapsed. The stylized medal image on the life ring honors Keeper Griessers heroic actions for which he was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal on February 23, 1901.
CREST
The Tano Indian sun symbol signifies the ships homeport of Puerto Rico, reflecting the Indian heritage of the region. The lightning bolts around the sun symbol are adapted from the flag of Buffalo, New York, which is the location of the lifesaving station where Winslow Griesser served. The buckeye leaves to the left represent the State of Ohio, where he was born. The sugar maple leaves on the right refer to the State of New York, where the rescue occurred.
SUPPORTERS
The crossed boat hook and oar are taken from the U.S. Life Saving Service emblem, highlighting Keeper Griessers long-standing experience as a surfman as well as conveying WPC 1116s mission of Search and Rescue.
MOTTO
The Latin motto, FORTITUDO ILLIMITATAE, translates to Strength without Bounds. The color of the scroll further honors Winslow Griessers award of the Gold Lifesaving Medal for his valiant actions.
SEAL
The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white disc encircled by a Cobalt Blue designation band, edged with a Gold line and bearing the name USCGC WINSLOW GRIESSER at top and WPC 1116 at base, all Gold.