[13] According to Marine Log, modifications to the Coast Guard vessels from the Stan 4708 design include an increase in speed from 23 to 28 knots (43 to 52 km/h; 26 to 32 mph), fixed-pitch rather than variable-pitch propellers, stern launch capability, and watertight bulkheads.

On December 6, 2015, the barge Columbia Elizabeth was proceeding to Puerto Rico with a cargo of shipping containers, when crew members noticed some were missing.

As Hurricane Dorian approached in late August and early September 2019, Margaret Norvell and other cutters pre-staged in Key West for post-storm operations.

[20] Once the storm had passed, the Margaret Norvell conducted Task Force-Southeastern United States (TF-SEUS) offshore SAR and port security operations under the tactical control of USCGC Dauntless.

[21] On September 29, 2019, the Margaret Norvell assisted the Motor Yacht Viking Lady, disabled and adrift 39 nautical miles north of Freeport, Bahamas.

While towing the Viking Lady to commercial salvage near Fort Lauderdale, the seas began to increase due to the effects of Hurricane Lorenzo.

[24][25] Later that month, Margaret Norvell and HMBS Cascarilla apprehended the F/V Gerchard II, a Dominican-flagged vessel illegally fishing in Bahamian waters with an estimated $250,000 of catch on board.