A ten-week dockside maintenance period for the Coast Guard Cutter Hickory in Long Beach, California is now complete and the Cutter has returned to its home in Homer, Alaska.

The 10-week maintenance period was filled with projects. In all 26 projects were initiated by contractors, including replacing the exterior deck non-skid, renewing the generator mounts, cleaning the engine plant exhaust systems, and refurbishing the cutter’ crane, extension boom and winch motors.

“Due to the nature of Hickory’s work, overhauling the crane was of the utmost importance to meet our mission of servicing aids to navigation throughout Western Alaska,” said Chief Warrant Officer Michael Kimberlin, the engineer officer aboard Hickory. “The crane is now more reliable and safer for our crew.”

Another 30 projects were performed in addition to the contracted work. The entire exterior superstructure got a new coat of paint. That effort was an all-hands affair and the crew’s efforts saved approximately $120,000 in contracted maintenance. The potable water tanks as well as the reverse osmosis systems received maintenance as well.

“The entire maintenance period was a resounding success,” said Lt. Cmdr. Brian Krautler, commanding officer of Hickory. “We had a contractor that was eager to perform the contracted work with great care, speed, and quality. The entire crew also worked tirelessly to complete the work with pride and I couldn’t be more proud of their efforts.”

The Hickory, nick-named “The Bull of the North,” is a 225-foot sea-going buoy tender that services 170 navigational aids throughout the Alaska region. In addition to its primary mission as a buoy tender, the Hickory conducts law enforcement, search and rescue, environmental response and community outreach programs.

The Hickory was also deployed to the Arctic in 2012 in support of Operation Arctic Shield.