Constructed by the Gibbs Gas Engine Company and commissioned in early 1962, the vessel served as part of the USCG for over 30 years before being decommissioned in mid-1995 and sold to the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

During her service Catenary was based primarily on the east coast of the United States where she was utilized mainly in a law enforcement role.

[2] Catenary was one of six in her class constructed by the Gibbs Gas Engine Company (later acquired by Aerojet General Corp.) in Jacksonville, Florida.

[1] After being commissioned in April 1962, she was initially homeported at Gloucester City, New Jersey, and served there until June 1988 when she was reassigned to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She performed training missions involving shiphandling, maneuvering, navigation, and towing, as well as participating in Merchant Marine Academy public relations trips throughout Long Island Sound, the East River, and New York Harbor.