The contract for Washtucna was awarded 9 August 1971. She was laid down on 1 May 1973 at Marinette, Wisconsin, by Marinette Marine and launched 9 October 1973.
Placed in service at San Diego, California, Washtucna performed local and coastal towing tasks for the 11th Naval District.
Stricken from the Navy List 21 August 1997, ex-Washtucna was transferred to the Department of the Interior at Midway Island[1] 17 October 1997. Converted to twin z-drive,[2] she was reacquired by the navy and reinstated on 7 October 2008. Ex-Washtucna was simultaneously reclassified and redesignated as unnamed yard tug YT-801.
Currently in active service at Bangor, Washington as Z-826.