USCGC Spar (WLB-206)
Vessel Bio Here
Vessel Details
IMO No.
9257838
Year Built
2000
Builder
Marinette Marine (Manitowoc, WI, USA)
Length
225' (68.58m)
Beam
46' (14.02m)
Depth
13' (3.96m)
Class/Mission
Juniper-Class Seagoing Buoy Tender
Homeport
Station Duluth
(Duluth, MN)
(Duluth, MN)
Gross Tonnage
2,000 tons
Engine Power
6,200 bhp diesel
Previous Names
(none)
Previous Fleets
(none)
Spar under tow. [David Schauer]
USCG Spar breaking out Lee A. Tregurtha on 4-3-26. [Glenn Blaszkiewicz]
USCG Spar breaking out Lee A. Tregurtha on 4-3-26. [Glenn Blaszkiewicz]
USCGC SPAR WLB-206 arrives back home after a short trip as the Vista Star passes by. Duluth, MN - August 22, 2025 [David Schauer]
Duluth based USCGC Spar (WLB-206) downbound on the St. Clair River - June 3, 2025 [Rod Burvick]
USCGC Spar downbound at the West Pier of the Soo Locks 3-23-2025 [David Kaye]
USCG Spar [David Schauer [3]
USCG Spar [David Schauer [2]
At least for boat fans. USCGC SPAR (WLB-206) began ice breaking operations this morning in the Duluth-Superior harbor. The Soo Locks open in 15 days (March 25), but typically boats start moving here a few days prior to load and depart. Duluth, MN - March 10, 2025 [David Schauer]
USCGC SPAR WLB-206 passes by our two local research vessels (EPA's Lake Explorer II and UMD's Blue Heron) near Barkers Island in Superior. Note the bubbler system working to keep ice from forming around the vessels. Superior, WI - January 17, 2025 [David Schauer]
USCG Spar [Elias Lund Photography] 7-16-2024
USCG Spar [Boatnerd file photo]
USCGC Spar breaking ice in Duluth, MN. Schauer photography
Day 2 of USCGC Spar's Twin Ports ice operations sees her soften up the waters near Rice's Point. Paul Scinocca image, March 8
USCGC Spar pours on the smoke while breaking ice in Duluth MN-Superior, WI. Paul Scinocca image, March 7
Duluth-based USCGC SPAR (WLB-206) returned to the Twin Ports Saturday morning after doing late season swaps of navigational aids. The SPAR entered through Superior and worked down the Front Channel to do some ice softening in the East Gate Basin before heading toward the CN ore dock. Operation Taconite ice breaking will ramp up with cold weather next week. David Schauer photo
After doing buoy work in the harbor, USCGC Spar departs Duluth illuminated by the bright lights of Bentleyville. Philip R. Clarke sneaks up from behind... David Schauer image, December 5
Spar returns home to Duluth with a hint of autumn color remaining on the hillside. David Schauer image, October 26
USCGC Spar arrives in Grand Haven for the Coast Guard Festival. Matthew Uthe, August 1
View from onboard USCGC Spar during aids to navigation operations earlier this week. - U.S. Coast Guard
A buoy is lifted on the deck of USCGC Spar to be placed in Lake Superior. - U.S. Coast Guard
USCGC Spar hard at work conducting aids to navigation operations in Chequamegon Bay. - Chris Mazzella
Spar working on a channel marker off the Ashland Marina. - Chris Mazzella
Spar working on channel markers off the Ashland Marina. Note the remains of the old Soo Line ore dock. - Chris Mazzella
USCGC Spar leaves a wake in Chequamegon Bay. - Chris Mazzella
USCGC Spar loading buoys behind the DECC in Duluth on another beautiful Saturday evening. - Paul Scinocca
USCGC Spar dropping a red nun buoy in the Duluth Harbor this late afternoon. - Paul Scinocca
USCG cutter Spar moored at Sault Ste. Marie. March 28, 2022. David Kaye.
Spar upbound near the Soo on Monday. Roger LeLievre
USCGC Spar waiting at Mistersky Fuel to back down after the Florence Spirit finishes topping off at Detroit. March 27, 2022. Andrew Russell.
US Coast Guard cutter Spar at Port Colborne bound for Duluth. March 25, 2022. Nathan Attard.
