I've Faced Off with Breaking Surf....Just Not in a Sailboat

Glen Ellen, California


I used to be a U.S. Coast Guard Coxswain and proudly adorned the below badge upon my uniform to prove it.

Symbolism is huge in the military. What adorns the military members uniform is a walking resume, and if your hip to the culture you can read said resume. Above you can see in the center of the Coxwains Pin the Compass Rose with breaking surf Port and Starboard with crossed oars. The oars are an acknowledgment of the services origins in the U.S. Life Saving Service and or old motto of "Row or Die."Here is an old photo scooped up from the Internet of a crew ready to row or die.

The history of the U.S. Coast Guard and her predecessors is so deep and rich. Back in the day, in terms of Motor Life Boats I became a qualified coxswain on two platforms, the 44 Foot Motor Life Boat and the 30 Foot Surf Rescue Boat.

30FT Surf Rescue Boat

Below is my favorite picture of a 44 footer. I used to have a big framed poster of the this picture but lost it in one of my many moves. Shot from a helo at the National Motor Life Boat School at the mouth of the Columbia River. I graduated from the school in 1991 after a full month of bashing through surf daily.

44FT Motor Life Boat

All these memories of surf were triggered by the below sailboat. What a great video! I have to give it up for the Captain, as he squared up for each successive set of breaker. That's the only reason they survived without being rolled!



Capt Chris

PS: August 12th, 2011. The video below is one of the best video that would depict a day in the life of being in a sea going rescue service. Not to mention the sound track on the video, Home From the Sea is awesome. Please note about 3/4 the way through the video you'll see the Motor Life Boat hook up the tow. Not an easy move and a maneuver that I've practiced literally hundreds of times. Imagine doing the same move at night on a fishing vessel with all its rigging and blinding sodium deck lights. So much can go wrong but rarely does simply due to constant training. Also not the the large orange ship up swell positioned beam to the sea in an attempt to knock down the sea while the towline is hooked up. Love this video!