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Inside the Daring World of U.S. Coast Guard Surfmen
This week on 60 Minutes, correspondent Bill Whitaker explored the perilous operations of the U.S. Coast Guard’s elite surfmen unit.
These highly trained individuals operate in a treacherous inlet off the coast of Washington and Oregon, a region ominously referred to as the “Graveyard of the Pacific.” This nickname stems from the catastrophic clashes between the Columbia River’s swift currents and impactful waves that have traveled vast distances across the Pacific Ocean, leading to countless maritime disasters over the years.
Surfmen face the daunting challenge of conducting rescues in tumultuous waters, where waves can reach heights of 20 feet and winds can gust as fast as 50 knots. This demanding environment is where certified surfmen put their skills to the test.
To gain an understanding of their rigorous training, Whitaker and the 60 Minutes team prepared to board a 47-foot lifeboat. The team first had to wear a dry suit, designed to keep them insulated and protected from the frigid waters in case of an accidental immersion.
On a brisk February morning, Whitaker tested his dry suit, immersing himself for 15 minutes in the frigid Columbia River waters, monitored by two Coast Guardsmen. He recounted, “I had no protection on my hands. And I’ll tell you, my hands were freezing. But the dry suit kept my body relatively warm,” during a follow-up discussion with 60 Minutes Overtime.
Following a safety briefing detailing potential emergencies—like a “rollover” in which a wave flips the boat upside down—the team set out into the challenging waters. Chief Instructor Eric Ceallaigh explained the lifeboat’s design features, which enhance its resilience during such tumultuous events. A buoyancy chamber and strategically placed air compartments keep the boat afloat, enabling it to right itself after being capsized.
“Imagine you put a football in the bathtub…you push it down, the laces always shoot up,” Ceallaigh illustrated. “So, as this boat gets underwater…it’s going to violently re-right itself, to where we can get ready for the next wave.”
To ensure safety during potential rollovers, Whitaker and photographer Dennis Dillon were secured in dual points of contact and instructed to hold their breaths until the boat righted itself, a process lasting about eight to twelve seconds. Whitaker noted, “We’d be wet and gasping, but we would be safe and secure.”
As the boat navigated the tumultuous waves, Ceallaigh and the surfmen-in-training alerted the crew to incoming swells. To tackle the waves effectively, Ceallaigh showcased techniques such as “squaring up,” where the vessel’s bow is aimed at the crest of a wave, propelling it upward for a thrilling glide down the other side.
Reflecting on the experience, Whitaker described the sensation: “You end up going way up onto the top of this wave… you look up, and all you see is sky. Once you get over the crest of the wave… you’re looking straight into the water. And you’re just being bounced and pushed around. And it really is the most incredible rollercoaster you could ever imagine.”
Curious about Ceallaigh’s calm demeanor amid the chaos, Whitaker inquired whether he found joy in the tumultuous conditions. Ceallaigh responded enthusiastically, “If you let me go take… [a] lifeboat out into the surf, I’m immediately in the best mood. Full of endorphins. Happy as can be. All of my problems go away…I absolutely love it.”
The video above was produced by Will Croxton and edited by Sarah Shafer Prediger.
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