There was a final homecoming Saturday morning for a historic Coast Guard ship that has called Hawaii home for the past four decades.

The Coast Guard cutter Jarvis returned to Honolulu Harbor from its final 30-day mission.

"Our original mission was to get to Johnston Atoll and see if anyone was illegally fishing out there," said Capt. Richard Mourey.

For the past 40 years, the Jarvis has been used to protect ocean resources, stop illegal drugs from reaching our shores, and make sure rescued boaters make it safely back to shore.

"I'm going to miss the history of the boat," said USCG Seaman Charlie Murphy.

The Jarvis was the first of its class to be commissioned in Hawaii back in 1972. It has been harbored in the islands ever since, but now the old ship is starting to show her age.

"It's just an old boat. Its still operational, but there's more to do to be operational," said Murphy.

In fact, its final mission had to be diverted because of emergency repairs to a critical evaporator -- which is used to make water for the crew.

The ship already went through one modernization about 20 years ago, but now Capt. Mourey said it is time for a permanent upgrade.

"Because the gear is 40 years old, it tends to have more casualties. Those greater casualties prevent us from getting the mission done," said Mourey.