Taana Blom said there is no mistaking the rumble of the diesel engines on the USCGC Hollyhock. She could hear them coming before they rounded the lighthouse at the Lower Entry recently and added that they’re later than usual this year. I don’t know for sure, but am assuming they were in the area to set the buoys for the navigation aids for the boating season.

The description of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock on the Coast Guard page is as follows:

“The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter HOLLYHOCK is a 225 foot Seagoing Buoy Tender responsible for nearly 150 aids to navigation on the lower Great lakes. Built in 2003 to replace the WWII-era CGC BRAMBLE, the CGC HOLLYHOCK's primary missions are aids to navigation, search and rescue, environmental protection, and domestic icebreaking.

Sure remember during my service at the old Portage station the many trips that the now-decomissioned buoy tender Woodrush made its way around Superior, tending the aids to navigation and transporting the crews to and from the manned lighthouses. Looks like the present class of buoy tenders is a bit larger -- the Woodrush and Woodbine were 180-footers.
Some of the Coasties liked lighthouse duty; others not so much . . . especially those that occupied Rock Of Ages light. Manitou, Passage Island and Huron Island were more hospitable. Those were the days for sure.

Beautiful pics and really neat video!!

The water in the pics looks really inviting, it's
going to be too dang hot here in S.E. MI today!!
I need some cold Superior Gin as GN would have
said!! :=))