The United States Coastguard Cutter Key Biscayne

Key Biscayne Coastguard Cutter

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The Key Biscayne Yacht Club’s history has always been intertwined with the sea, but in the 1990s, that connection took on a distinguished naval dimension. We invite you to explore our permanent collection on display, which honors the USCGC Key Biscayne, an Island-class patrol boat that carried our island’s name across the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico for nearly a quarter-century.

The beautiful painting on your right serves as a vibrant rendition of the cutter in its element. This 110-foot Island-class (WPB) Patrol Boat was part of a highly successful lineage of vessels named after U.S. islands. Based out of Key West and later St. Petersburg, Florida, the Key Biscayne was a workhorse of the Coast Guard fleet. Equipped with advanced electronics and dual diesel engines, she was designed for excellent range and seakeeping—essential for her missions in places like Charlotte Amalie, USVI, and the Florida Straits.

Mounted high in the center is the original wooden Plank (Name Board) from the vessel. Following the cutter’s decommissioning in 2015, the Coast Guard gifted this board to the Yacht Club as a token of the long-standing bond between the club and the ship.

This relationship dates back to 1991, when the Key Biscayne Yacht Club successfully advocated for the ship's name and provided a $1,000 donation toward her commissioning. It is a proud piece of our "permanent collection" that bridges the gap between our local docks and the broader maritime service.

To the right of the name board, you will find the Commemorative Plaque. This piece serves as a solemn "Last Cruise" record, documenting the ship’s lifecycle:

• Commissioned: April 27, 1991

• Decommissioned: March 6, 2015

The plaque lists the final crew members who served aboard the WPB-1339, from the Commanding Officers to the Seamen. It stands as a tribute to the men and women who maintained the ship and executed the Coast Guard’s vital missions of search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental protection.

So whether you are here for a regatta or a quiet dinner, take a moment to view these artifacts located at the entrance to the Burgee Bar.