the ship remained in "mothballs" for the next six years, ("vance" was uscgc wde-487 from april, 1952 to 3 april 54) before it was towed to the mare island naval shipyard in november 1955 for conversion to a radar picket destroyer escort. the extensive alterations involved the addition of: improved air-search radar, extensive communications equipment, and complete facilities for fighter-direction operations. it also entailed the enclosing of the entire main deck areas amidships to provide accommodations for officers and men. designated der-387, "vance" was recommissioned on 5 october 1956 at mare island, lt. comdr. albert m. brouner in command.