The USCGC William Tate arrived to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 10th, 1999 (the 224 birthday of the United States Marine Corps) and was formally commissioned on June 3rd, 2000.

CGC WILLIAM TATE and her crew are responsible for the maintenance of 250 buoys in the Delaware Bay and River, and the Upper Chesapeake Bay. Additionally, WILLIAM TATE is designed, constructed and equipped to ably perform other Coast Guard missions such as domestic ice breaking, marine environmental protection, and maritime law enforcement. As an adopted ship, the Philadelphia council provides financial awards and support for the crew and her families.