1909:

Muskeget, MA- The schooner Vigilant parted moorings, and stranded 1 mile south of the station.  The owner applied to the keeper at 10: 30 pm for assistance.  Surfmen proceeded to the scene, carried out an anchor and line, and hove the schooner into deep water.  During the storm the owner was sheltered and supplied with meals at the station for 2 days.  But for the security afforded by an additional anchor and cable loaned by the crew, Vigilant would have stranded a second time.

1989:

The tanker Exxon Valdez grounded on a reef in Prince William Sound, AK, spilling 10.1 million gallons of crude oil.  This was the worst oil spill in US history.  Coast Guard units responded and prevented the entire cargo from spilling, cleaned up the oil which did spill, and conducted an investigation into the causes of the accident.  The spill provides the impetus for the passage of the Oil Protection Act in 1990.