During the summer of 1965, "Edisto" again sailed to the Arctic in support of the northern defense outposts and for oceanographic survey work. Before her return to Boston in early October 1965, a message informed her that she would be the first of the United States Navy icebreakers turned over to the United States Coast Guard under the transfer agreement signed between the United States Department of the Treasury and United States Department of the Navy. As "Edisto" sailed south, U.S. Coast Guard officers boarded who would command the vessel following the turnover.