Photo credit: www.cbsnews.com
On graduation day in 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard’s elite surfmen trainees faced a real emergency that tested their skills far beyond a routine training session. A vessel was found taking on water near one of the most treacherous inlets in the United States, where conditions had rapidly deteriorated from calm to perilous.
Chief Eric Ceallaigh, the lead instructor at the Coast Guard’s National Motor Lifeboat School, described the challenging circumstances: “At this point we’re facing 25-, 30-foot, 35-foot breaking seas. Fifty knots of winds. It’s raining, hailing.” This dramatic situation unfolded at the mouth of the Columbia River, notorious for its severe weather and towering waves. Trainees at this school pursue the highly coveted surfman certification, which qualifies them to command lifeboats for high-risk rescue operations.
“It takes a lot to get there,” Ceallaigh remarked. “It takes a special type of person, willing to put themselves into those situations where you’re looking up at a 20-foot breaking sea and you’re like, ‘I want to do this. I want to keep training in this.'” The commitment required to become a surfman is immense, often comparing this journey to the rigorous training of Navy SEALs or members of the Army Special Forces.
Understanding Surfmen
Among the approximately 40,000 Coast Guard members, only a small number—around 130—serve as active duty surfmen, as noted by Tim Crochet, the commanding officer of the Lifeboat School. To earn this distinction, individuals must demonstrate their capability to handle critical rescue missions. At the entrance of the school, a display of medallions, referred to as “checks,” signifies the achievements of all certified surfmen.
The U.S. Life-Saving Service, which originated in 1972 to rescue stranded mariners, was absorbed into the Coast Guard in 1915. Today, the Coast Guard operates 20 Surf Stations nationwide, performing more than 5,000 rescues annually.
Ceallaigh, who proudly displays his surfman number, 545, as a tattoo, emphasized the gravity of this role. He began the training course by sharing the Coast Guard’s Surfman’s Creed, stating, “I will never unnecessarily jeopardize myself, my boat, or my crew, but will do so freely to rescue those in peril.” As the course progressed, he expected his students to memorize this creed, reinforcing the core values of their training.
Derek Samuelson, Trenton Campbell, and Joshua Slaughter were among the trainees under Ceallaigh’s guidance throughout the intensive program. Samuelson highlighted the extensive preparation, saying, “Most of us are going to be pushing pretty close to four years when we get certified. That’s almost a college degree worth of training in driving these boats.”
The Graveyard of the Pacific
The training is held in a notoriously dangerous region known as the Graveyard of the Pacific, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. With the potential for one million cubic feet of water to flow through its mouth every second, this area produces formidable waves that have traveled vast distances across the ocean.
Jeff Smith, curator of the Columbia River Maritime Museum, elaborated on the region’s reputation, citing thousands of shipwrecks and at least 700 lives lost over the years, with remnants of sunken vessels still visible on local beaches.
Rigorous Training for Surfmen
The training program begins with a basic course, followed by rigorous sessions in challenging weather, culminating in the surf class designed to test candidates during the most severe conditions. On the first day of training, Ceallaigh and fellow instructors introduced their students to the demanding waters, with the trainees observing closely as they received hands-on instruction.
Ceallaigh stressed that the training is designed to expose students to an extensive range of surf conditions, significantly more than they might experience while stationed at their home units. As they navigated tumultuous seas, it became evident that Ceallaigh was in his element, committed to teaching his students how to interpret the constantly changing waves.
One critical maneuver that lifeboat operators must master is “squaring up,” which involves directing the boat’s bow into a breaking wave to prevent capsizing. Throughout the training period, students were tasked with simulated rescue missions, enhancing their skills in practical scenarios.
Graduation Day Challenges
On the day of graduation, a real emergency arose alongside the completion ceremony for the advanced Coast Guard rescue helicopter school. A rescue swimmer named John Walton launched into the tumultuous waters to assist a boater in distress, achieving his first successful rescue as he bravely retrieved an individual from a capsized vessel amid violent surf.
The graduation event for the surfmen concluded more calmly, with nine trainees finishing the rigorous program in 2024. Although many did not receive formal certification on that day, two individuals—Dorian Casey and Trenton Campbell—were unexpectedly recognized by their commanding officers in attendance.
Campbell’s successful completion was met with congratulatory gestures from trainers and peers, as he returned to Station Quillayute River in Washington. He reflected on the motivation driving his training, stating, “We’re training for the opportunity to save a human life. It’s all the motivation you need.”
More from CBS News
Source
www.cbsnews.com