PHS Proud Blog — tugboat

The U.S. Public Health Service quarantine tugboats or "boarding tugs" were well-known to travelers crossing into American waters during the 1930's through the 1970's. Incoming ships would report to the PHS tugboats any illness or sick passengers aboard. If there were any, a PHS physician officer would board the ship to assess the passenger and safely transport him or her to medical care. This was all in attempt to prevent unknown diseases abroad from entering the U.S. Here is a brief 13 min video on USPHS medical officers inspecting incoming ships and crew members: The Public Health Service tugboats are...