Zuni Maritime Foundation: Website for the preservation of the USN Zuni (ATF-95) / USCG Cutter Tamaroa (WMEC-166)

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The Zuni Maritime Foundation

The historic vessel USS ZUNI/USCGC Tamaroa, whose history stretches from the sands of Iwo Jima to the seas of The Perfect Storm has finally arrived in Virginia. After a thirteen year odyssey of being decommissioned, parked, abandoned, auctioned off, purchased, and sold again, she is to be donated to the Zuni Maritime Foundation.

The Foundation

The Foundation is a non-profit organization located in Richmond, Virginia, whose mission is to preserve the ship in an operational condition as well as to educate the public about the vital role working vessels such as cutters and tugs play in our maritime heritage. She will be used in a number of roles, the primary one being as a maritime educational platform.

The Zuni/Tamaroa will be made available to Sea Cadets, Sea Scouts, NROTC, Junior NROTC programs, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and others.

The Zuni/Tamaroa will also be accessible to the general public as a National Historic Ship. Tours of the ship, static displays, and scheduled live demonstrations will be among the many aspects the public will experience when they visit the Zuni/Tamaroa. Former crewmembers, their families and those who served on similar ships will be able to relive a part of their youth and share their experiences with others.

At this time the Foundation is exploring a number of possible permanent "home ports" for the Zuni/Tamaroa in the Richmond and Henrico County metro areas, Newport News and Hopewell, VA. When further information is available we will release it. The Zuni/Tamaroa herself is presently in South Norfolk.

For more information, please contact us.

About the Website

This web site is now the official home of the Zuni Maritime Foundation. Initially the site was created by former crewmembers to highlight the Tamaroa's history, to raise public awareness about the plight of the Tamaroa, and to somehow facilitate the efforts to rescue her. We are happy to say that these goals are being met, with the help of volunteers and supporters.

Highlighting the entire ship’s history and crewmembers will always be one of the primary goals of the foundation and this site, so please keep coming back, as we continue to build a collection of photographs, stories and anecdotes.

Any contributions would be gratefully appreciated, so please send us any photos, stories or memorabilia you might have.