Additional Coverage:
- U.S. Coast Guard trains elite rescuers in dangerous surf (newsbreak.com)
Elite Surfmen Guard Dangerous Waters
At the mouth of the Columbia River, where Lewis and Clark ended their expedition, lies one of the most treacherous waterways in the US. Here, the Coast Guard trains its elite surfmen, who face towering waves and fierce winds to save lives.
Exclusive Club
Becoming a surfman is an exclusive honor, with only 130 active members out of 40,000 Coast Guard personnel. These individuals are entrusted to drive lifeboats in extreme conditions, including 20-foot waves and 50-knot winds.
Training Ground
The Coast Guard’s Motor Lifeboat School is the training ground for surfmen. Students undergo a rigorous four-week program, learning to read swells, drive lifeboats through breaking waves, and execute critical maneuvers like “squaring up” to avoid capsizing.
Dangerous Work
The mouth of the Columbia River has witnessed countless shipwrecks, making it a vital economic waterway and a hazardous place for rescues. Coast Guard surfmen risk their lives to assist vessels in distress, including commercial ships and fishing boats.
Real-Life Rescue
During a training exercise on graduation day, the boats encountered a mayday call from a vessel taking on water. Conditions were severe, but a rescue swimmer was deployed and successfully retrieved the man aboard, demonstrating the Coast Guard’s teamwork and dedication.
Graduation and Honor
After completing the course, nine students graduated, including two who received their surfman medallions on the spot. These individuals will return to their home units to serve as highly trained and respected surfmen, ready to answer the call for help in treacherous waters.
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- U.S. Coast Guard trains elite rescuers in dangerous surf (newsbreak.com)