She was initially homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and served there through 1972, conducting search and rescue and law enforcement patrols.

The cutter and crew were awarded the Coast Guard Unit Commendation "for exceptionally meritorious service during the period 29 April to 2 May 1969" for this action.

From 11 to 28 July, Courageous participated in BOMAX (Barbados Oceanographic and Meteorological Experiment), hosting Coast Guard cadets and scientists.

On 1 August 1971 Courageous seized the yacht White Cloud near Cuban waters and arrested two for aiding draft evaders.

On 23 December 1971 RCC Miami notified Courageous to undertake a rescue of the 26-foot S/V Ian's Cradle with 4 persons on board, during a severe gale, east of Fort Pierce.

By the time the request for assistance was broadcast, Ian's Cradle had been dismasted and had lost one person overboard and the remaining three, including an infant, were in mortal danger.

Due to the worsening of the sea conditions, a helo was requested out of St. Petersburg, and the three survivors on Ian's Cradle were lifted off their vessel to safety.

On 20 March 1984, a boarding team seized the F/V Griffon 75 miles east of Great Abaco Island carrying 30 pounds of marijuana.

On 6 May 1984, her boarding team seized the M/V Canta Dora, 14 mile north of New Providence Island, carrying 10 tons of marijuana.

Having completed the repairs to the shaft alignment and undergoing extensive crew training and ready for sea preparations, Courageous arrived at her new homeport of Panama City, Florida, on 3 February 1991.

Courageous once again began performing her routine maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and defense readiness patrols in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

Our primary missions are law enforcement, migrant interdiction, and search and rescue.On 8 September 2001, a Good Samaritan located a raft 25 miles south of Alligator Key, FL.

On 3 September, Coast Guard Station Marathon intercepted nine Cuban migrants, 10 miles south of Sombrero Key Light.

On 3 September, a good Samaritan spotted two Cuban migrants on a raft, 30 miles south of Key West, FL.

Additionally, on 3 September, cutter Courageous intercepted two Cuban migrants on a raft, 40 miles south of Marathon, Florida.

On 5 September, cutter Courageous located a raft with six Cuban migrants, 10 miles north of Cay Sal Bank, Bahamas.

On 5 September, cutter Courageous intercepted 19 Cuban migrants on a go-fast 11 miles north of Cay Sal Bank, Bahamas.

As of October 2001, a memo from the cutter noted that: During a recent 45-day deployment, Courageous patrolled the waters between Key West and Cuba, and was primarily involved with the interdiction and repatriation of Cuban migrants in the Straits of Florida.

The final two weeks of the deployment were spent at Naval Station, Mayport where the crew underwent an intense period of classroom training and practical underway exercises to hone their navigation, damage control, first aid, and seamanship skills.

[1] The United States Coast Guard donated Courageous to Sri Lanka on 24 June 2004 and a departure ceremony was held 19 February 2005.

Samudura, along with other Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) of the Sri Lankan Navy, was able to successfully intercept several ships smuggling arms for the LTTE.

Her primary duties are to ensure the main Sea Lane of Communication (SLOC) that runs through the Sri Lankan maritime jurisdiction is safe for seafaring and policing the EEZ.