In October the tug assisted with rescue of survivors aboard the troop transport President Coolidge after it struck mines in the entrance to the harbor at Espíritu Santo. The tug took off 440 survivors which were transferred to the cruiser . Towing assignments during those operations took the boat throughout the island groups of the South Pacific, and once in late November-early December 1942 to Sydney, Australia.
During October 1942, a tugboat played a crucial role in rescuing survivors from the President Coolidge after it was hit by mines in Espíritu Santo. The tug successfully evacuated 440 people, who were then transferred to a nearby cruiser. As part of its towing duties, the boat traveled extensively throughout the South Pacific islands and eventually made its way to Sydney, Australia in late November.