USCGC Barbara Mabrity (WLM 559)
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Coat of Arms


Description/Blazon

SHIELD

Per fess Azure and Argent, a lozenge in point counterchanged, in chief a polestar Or and in base a trident of the like and an oar saltirewise Proper surmounted by a buoy Gules garnished Argent, supported by an ocean wave Celeste.


CREST

From a wreath Argent and Azure, in front of a bank of storm clouds and issuing from stylized ocean waves Azure capped Argent, a lighthouse Proper lighted Or, emitting two beams of light to dexter and sinister, all between two branches of Southern longleaf pine Proper.


MOTTO

A scroll Gules doubled Azure, inscribed SEMPER SPERO' (Always Hopeful) Argent.


SEAL

The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white disc enclosed within a dark blue border edged on the outer side with a gold rope and inscribed "USCG BARBARA MABRITY" above and "WLM 559" below in gold.

Symbolism

SHIELD

Red, white and blue are the colors traditionally used by the Coast Guard. The lozenge, heraldic symbol for womanhood, signifies Mrs. Barbara Mabrity, the 19th century lighthouse keeper at Key West for 38 years. The polestar represents the cutter's navigational services. The trident symbolizes the cutter's mission of marine environmental protection and maritime law enforcement, while the oar suggests search and rescue. The buoy highlights the operational duties as the ninth vessel of the Keeper Class Coastal Buoytenders.


CREST

The storm clouds, lighthouse and ocean waves denote the most destructive hurricane of Key West history. That storm, in 1846, sank three ships and destroyed the lighthouse, killing fourteen people taking refuge there. The beams represent Mrs. Mabrity's dedication to service to "maintain the light"; she retired in 1864 at the age of 82. The branches of Southern longleaf Pines, the state tree of Alabama, symbolize the location of the Cutter.





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