 She was laid down on 28 October 1972 at Marinette, Wisconsin, by Marinette Marine and launched 4 May 1973.Delivered to the U.S. Navy on 28 July 1973, "Wanamassa" was initially assigned to the 10th Naval District and operated out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, aiding ships in berthing and docking maneuvers and standing ready to provide waterfront fire protection.In the latter half of the 1970s, she was transferred to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, in Cuba.