The USCGC Cuyahoga was an Active Class Patrol Boat built in 1927 and saw action in World War II. By October 20, 1978, the Cuyahoga was the oldest commissioned vessel in Coast Guard service and was conducting a night-time training cruise during clear weather. She was heading north at 12 knots in the Chesapeake Bay off Smith Point Light near the mouth of the Potomac River. At 8:45pm, the bridge reported sighting a light on the northern horizon. The Commanding Officer confirmed this observation and after evaluating the radar contact misidentified the contact as a small vessel, likely a fishing boat turning into the Potomac River at 15,700 yards. In fact, it was the 521 foot Argentinian bulk freighter, M/V Santa Cruz II , loaded with 19,000 tons of coal, bound for San Nicolas, Argentina traveling south at over 14 knots. The pilot of the Santa Cruz identified the Cuyahoga, and neither he nor the ship’s Captain Abdelardo Albornoz were concerned as the two ships appeared to be passing port-to-port. When the two vessels were 1,200 yards apart the Cuyahoga turned west, into the path of the Santa Cruz, to enter the Potomac River. The pilot immediately sounded the Santa Cruz’s whistle signaling that he would maintain course and speed and that the cutter should return to its original course. After waiting 30 seconds without any response from the Cuyahoga, the ship sounded a danger warning of five short blasts. Cuyahoga still believed the vessel was a small fishing boat and that it was also turning into the Potomac River, sounded its whistle in acknowledgement and turned further west. Once the Commanding Officer realized that he was about to collide with a freighter he ordered “all engines stop,” then “full reverse”. At 9:07pm, the bulbous underwater bow of the Santa Cruz tore through Cuyahoga’s midship, 40 feet from the stern, rolling her over at a 50 degree angle. The cutter had reversed back into the path of the Santa Cruz. The Cuyahoga sank within two minutes of the collision in 58 feet of water. The un-injured clung to the sides of the boat until the freighter had returned to pick up survivors. Eleven onboard the Cuyahoga were lost, 18 survived.
| Name | Rating | Duty Station | Date |
| Makin, D. B. | MKCS | USCGC Cuyahoga | 10/20/1978 |
| McDowell, D. S. | SA | USCGC Cuyahoga | 10/20/1978 |
| Balina, E. A. | SS1 | USCGC Cuyahoga | 10/20/1978 |
| Hellyer, J. L. | FA | USCGC Cuyahoga | 10/20/1978 |
| Atkinson, M. A. | SA | USCGC Cuyahoga | 10/20/1978 |
| Carter, W. M. | Y1 | USCGC Cuyahoga | 10/20/1978 |
| Clark, J. W. | SA(OC) | USCGC Cuyahoga | 10/20/1978 |
| Heistand, J. P. | SA(OC) | USCGC Cuyahoga | 10/20/1978 |
| Thomason, E. J. | MK1(OC) | USCGC Cuyahoga | 10/20/1978 |
| Wood, B. E. | RM1(OC) | USCGC Cuyahoga | 10/20/1978 |