After being commissioned 2 October 1930, Saranac was homeported in Galveston, Texas and participated in regular patrols.[1]
After being transferred to the Royal Navy the newly named HMS Banff (Y43) was commissioned on 30 April 1941 .[2] On 8 August 1942, she rescued 18 people from the Norwegian tanker Mirlo which was torpedoed by U-130.[2] On 27 February 1946 she was returned to the USCG.
After the end of the World War II, she was transferred back to the USCG on 27 February 1946. Initially given the name Sebec (WPG 164), she was renamed Tampa before being commissioned 27 May 1947.[3]