Meet the U.S. Coast Guard’s elite surfmen

[@Winngnuttz]

I’m a retired Navy CDR who was an initial cadre F/A-18 pilot. The Coastie pilots that I have known are top notch aviators. When the weather turns to dog squeeze and every other pilot is battening down the hatches, the Coastie pilots and crews are manning up and heading out to sea to perform incredible rescues. I have the utmost respect for these guys and gals and we as Americans are very fortunate to have them.

[@PAMELAPORTER-ci7mr]

They were rescuing people in Houston during Hurricane Harvey.

[@edwardroche2480]

Yep there's people getting lost off the Florida Keys and Miami all the time. And when the wind blows over 35 the FWC don't even go in their boats. If your boat breaks down the Coast Guard will not abandon you, they have even repaired engines on boats and they don't charge the people anything. Play some Kurt in the junction of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. And made a new prop on their boat it had a machine shop. Be nice to the Coast Guard, they are good people.

[@KeyMcCann]

So others may live. Those helo pilots and crews that fly into the teeth of the tempest to answer a desperate SOS call. I haven't the words. Know this there isn't anyone else on this planet that can do what our crews can do. Those are tax dollars well spent.

[@scottjackson67]

Coast Guardsman don't get enough credit. Thanks for your service and the amazing things you do to protect those at sea.

[@mmassehs3251]

Even the Pentagon is DTIC determined that Coast Guard requirements are much harder than marine corps requirements, and Boot Camp is tougher

[@angelawatts4390]

Amen!❤❤❤

[@shannoncargo468]

They saved my life from sinking these guys are hero’s

[@markmatlock9355]

You're welcome and I appreciate you.

[@YouPousti]

😂

[@christinduke5277]

My Son just graduated from Coast guard boot camp group Alpha 206 from Cape May today!! I'm so proud of him 😭

[@WhiteyThePooh]

You should be!!!

[@l-_-lForkBombl-_-l]

Congratulations to you and your son.

[@ZonaJim]

Tell him congratulations from an old Coastie who graduated boot camp over 50 years ago.

[@mantis10_surf85]

Congratulations to your son from a Coastie who graduated from Boot Camp in Cape May, NJ over 38 years ago. It was the best decision that I ever made.

[@stansmith4054]

My son graduates in 3 weeks. Echo 206!

[@jrwhite7916]

As a retired sailor from the US NAVY, we jokingly call them "Puddle Pirates," but make no mistake. They are top-notch and world class at what they do, and i couldn't do it.

[@Muddywatersist]

Sure you could, you should know it's all about training. As a retired Coastie who's spent a lot around the Navy it's the same 18 year old kids who join.

[@John-tx1wk]

You absolutely could have done it. The CG definitely has a different mindset from other branches but it would come to you through training and experience. I did four years in the Air Force and then 21 in the Coast Guard. The culture change was somewhat jarring but didn't last long.

[@SociallyBrandedMedia]

Training, mission, and mindset. You could do it.

[@mjuzick-f4s]

@@SociallyBrandedMedia I guess they say this outta respect or something. Ofcourse he could if he trained.

[@ecs3821]

@@mjuzick-f4sit’s nonsense and I don’t get it. I respect the hell out of them but they couldn’t do what a SEAL could do but a SEAL could do their job 100 times over. They shouldn’t disrespect our nations elite warriors like that just bc they have fewer numbers. Doesn’t mean you’re more badass 😂

[@robertornelas8402]

Sufrman 0288. Served 24 years in the CG.

[@marioandresheviacavieres1923]

Thanks for your service Sir!🤝

[@aumarigan]

Thank you for your service.

[@gchsbus]

Ex-Marine here. I served alongside Coasties. Mad respect for all the crazy stuff you guys do that we would not even think of.

[@izakse7en471]

You guys give me peace of mind fishing 30 miles offshore neah bay

[@juansegura5286]

Thank you for your selfless service, retired US Army Paratrooper here and I tip my beret to you Sir.

[@michaelmancini5773]

I’m a retired Recon Marine, so I’m very candid when I say, the US Coast Guard, is widely know as one of the best run military branches in the world, it’s that good

[@sfmc98]

As a Marine, the thing about us is we train constantly and may never get to use the skill. Also that skill usually involves killing people. The Coasties use their training just about every day, and the best part is that it's about saving people.

[@robert5755]

i was usmc in veitnam, got out was bored joined coast guard. stioned at quillayute river for a yeae then corpsman school in new london. then then airstation san diego to run sick bay.. helo pilots were great lots of fun at the county club.

[@muleface1066]

And interdicting illegal drug shipments. Also within their portfolio is guarding the coast from enemies--hence their name.

[@afcgeo882]

@@muleface1066Not actually guarding the coast, ironically.

[@toecuttre]

USN sailor here. We give our Coastie brothers & sisters a light ribbing, but if others knew the Coast Guard as well as we do, the amount of appreciation for them would be unparalled. They do SO MUCH. I had a buddy that forcasted weather for them on an icebreaker years ago & he told me firsthand stories of what they do. And theyve been involved in essentially every U S. overseas war & conflict since forever. Their time in Vietnam was, at times, horrific. Thank you to all that serve in the Coast Guard! V/R PO1

[@T-Add]

I'm from The Bahamas. When Hurricane Dorian, one of the worst hurricanes in history, hit our islands, the coasties flew into the heart of that cataclysm and pulled people out. I have nothing but respect for those guys.

[@MrCtsSteve]

Old Navy guy here, nothing but respect for all these guys 👍

[@stevenhj3124]

Old Navy guy here......... "Well done" is what we say in the Navy.

[@josephpadula2283]

BZ

[@Medrun]

Same

[@jamialmedia1102]

Outstanding and hats off to the boat maintenance crew that keeps those boats going 24/ 7!!

[@JoelWelter]

Very cool story. As a retired Navy man, I tip my hat to my brothers and sisters in the United States Coast Guard. Semper Paratus is truly their life.

[@kiowa1508]

Awesome. Side note…the 1 guy on the white yacht that was rescued was the thief who stole the boat. Thank goodness we didn’t lose a good man saving that guy…and although I’m sure the CG was briefed about the situation…it didn’t matter to them. A life is a life. Heroes.

[@baltimoredrummer1]

thanks for that, because i am wondering who the heck would go out in a raging sea in such a lake-loving yacht. makes sense now.

[@sixtynineelephants]

Also contrary to the guy telling the story, the CG didn’t get to him before the boat rolled, so the thief didn’t get off easy.

[@erikjohnson29]

hahaha I literally just watched that story on another show. The didn't know who he was, brought him to the hospital, and by the time the cops figured it out he had left the hospital and they had to track him down.

[@natalietucker4433]

The coast guard needs more credit my dads in the coast guard and they are amazing people

[@ChrisJames-o2t]

Always nice to see some credit given to actual heros whose heroism doesn't require the killing of others. ❤❤❤

[@ArizonaGunsDave]

Army veteran here, the Coast Guard is amazing and the men and women in the Coast Guard have my utmost respect!

[@CrashingPotatoEngineer]

I can't express how much I respect these men and women.

[@jdotsalter910]

In Vietnam a small cadre of Coast Guard aviators attached to Air Force search and rescue because they needed trained helicopter pilots, and the CG pilots were the best America had to offer. Even junior officers led higher ranking Air Force officers due to their experience. They flew jolly green missions with AF pararescuemen, rescuing anyone who was in distress in the jungles of Nam. A full CG crew flying an Air Force C-130 tanker got in low level pursuit with a Mig-21 and weaved through the valleys at tree top level, causing the Mig to crash. Lieutenant Jack Rittichier was the first CG casualty in Nam, shot down as he was attempting to rescue a Marine Corps pilot in the jungle. He has a base named after him now.

[@adamr149]

My uncle joined the CG to go to Vietnam at 17 because my grandmother wouldn't let him join the marines. He saw a significant amount of combat and was a very proud Coasty! RIP

[@kwnzgtube]

Thank you to all of the US COAST GUARD for your service.

[@KayGee-r5o]

I'm afraid of deep swimming pools. These guys are beyond brave--they are just flat out born crazy. And God bless every one of these hero's.

[@WhiteyThePooh]

As a long time USCG licensed Captain, thank you men and women for all y’all do! We feel a lot safer on those dark days because of y’all!

[@Ionee-q4f]

i used to work on the columbia river, i got to take an informal tour of one their boats when they tied up to ours, super super neat, come from a coastie family so ive been lucky enough to meet rescue swimmers, pilots, surfman, and more, truly incredible people.

[@garycallihan4206]

Was in the USCG, 1971-1975....1st vessel, weather station, USCGC Ingham...three years on USCGC Madrona, quartermaster.....grandfather, mother's side, was CWO Edgar Sevigny....sank with his lightship, Vineyard Sound, south of Buzzards Bay, MA, on Sept. 14, 1944. Mother was 17 at the time. There's a USCG memorial established in New Bedford, MA...1999...with the ship's bell on display.

[@Ionee-q4f]

@@garycallihan4206 My dad works on the formerly USCGC Ironwood(WLB-297) for the job corps, so I got to go onboard a few times, even was at the wheel once as a little kid for a parade :). The museum in Astoria has a lightship too, Lightship columbia, that I got free tours for all the time. Neat that us strangers from different generations are able to share a bit of connection like that.

[@AmitPatel-lw1fl]

Its always a good feeling when swimming/surfing out on a heavy day and you see the red chopper out. Thank you!

[@elskid206]

It was a story like this on national geographic, that sold me. From that they forward. I plan to join the Coast Guard and did so 4 months after I graduated high school in 74 I ended up on the Dallas and the Glacier. I couldn't have asked for a better 5 years.

[@scottatkinson1082]

The boats, the clothing, and the training is so much better than what we got back in the 70's... CG 44367

[@wildwoodwood9153]

We had 44364 at Neah Bay 👋🏼

[@ricks4361]

Moved to and lived on the Oregon coast where there was a CC station. Watched them train, watched them go out into vicious storms to save crabbers whose boats were sinking, watched them searching too many times for people who were swept out to sea by sneaker waves. These are some of our nation’s finest men and women and bravest of the brave.

[@rchuyck]

Wish I had the opportunity to be a Coastie. Grew up on the water in Minnesota was amazing, this is another level. Cudo’s to everyone who has and is serving. Thanks for your service.

[@carlhicksjr8401]

Army veteran here. I may give the Puddle Pirates their fair share of smack ration [it's in the contract... read the fine print], but I have no problem taking my share of it. I live a couple hundred miles from where these guys train, and we have a LOT of respect for the Coasties out here. There are towns in the Pacific Northwest where every single person is related to somebody the CG pulled out of the drink. And those guys go out in weather that'd make Santa Claus stay home. So from an old cavalryman [aka 'DAT' - dumb arsed tanker], I hope the USCG will accept a respectful tip of the Stetson. Bravo Zulu, Coasties.

[@romans6two338]

God bless all the men & women of the USCG, to these young graduates thank you for your service.

[@dianegenx]

God Bless the young, strong, smart men and women who want to help those of us in need. 💛💛

[@vickianderson3321]

Bravo from a retired Coastie Mom.........this really ......no words!🇺🇸👏🙏💯

[@susanhunter9196]

I used to watch the Coast Guard doing all kinds of exercises around Panama City Beach. They are amazing! I watched a Coast Guard helicopter tow a boat. I miss that, I live in Wisconsin now. It's beautiful!

[@petervanschenck4596]

Coastguard is such a noble service. My father was a proud CO and master mariner and commander in the USCG. I went navy but wish I went CG.

[@evanandersen64]

My former supervisor served for about 20 years in the Coast Guard. He was one of the best leaders, hard workers, and best employees I have got to work with so far.

[@frisk151]

I love their creed! I've trained (NOT USCG) in this very area as part of watercraft (PWC) rescue training... I had been pro offshore racing and won this and that.. Was invited by a Lady who for the life of me, I cannot remember her name.. This area is NO joke.. IF you cannot read the waves, you become the problem in many cases.. I haven't been on a ski in years now, but plenty of awesome memories.. With regard to the Men and Women of the U.S. Coast Guard.. IF you are ever in a bad place in bad seas.. Go ahead to pray to God... You better also PRAY the USCG is coming for you!!! There are few more beautiful places (to me) than open water (etc).. However.. There is no greater "lonely" place if you need help.. Thanks to ALL of the USCG... These are the toughest Angels you will ever hope not to need...

[@kdtrimble]

From 1991-1999 i was a USCG reservist. I was just a Yeoman doing pay and personnel work but I loved meeting and helping my fellow shipmates that did the heavy work. I met so many people from different walks of life. I really miss those times.

[@markb8412]

I spent 3.5 years at Cape D and the MLBS! I Was first to work on the 47200 and tennis shoe single engine boats... was a great time to be there ,with CWO Hamm who recently passed.

[@normanblanchard-n6s]

I was a coxin on 41's in seattle and also TAD'ed in ket west as a 41 driver. Loved those 41's.

[@ChristopherJGallagher]

We should have a Coast Guard here in Australia. Water safety and all enforcement requirements, crimes in territorial waters, border protection. The USA has the best trained and equipped water operators in the world.

[@lareneandpipsqueeksully]

I have been across the Columbia River bar, must have respect for the river! I love watching our service men and women doing their duties❣️ Thank you❣️

[@Solid_Wood_Origami]

I appreciate the time I spent in service and it definitely helped me develop into a better man. The Coast Guard is hiring people up to their 41st birthday right now due to a massive manpower shortage, so if anyone knows someone who is going through life and could use a little discipline and a career, give them a nudge towards the Coast Guard.

[@QueXLcior]

That’s gotta be the coolest thing I’ve seen today.

[@tabbyaspen8872]

Agreed 100%!

[@happyjohn1656]

Thumbnail goes hard

[@timtim2668]

Thank God For These Men and Women. Being in those extreme hazardous weather situations they go in without hesitation to save people's lives in their almost hopeless situations

[@loraroark3327]

We are all proud of them!!! Very special people!!

[@nateweter4012]

Man, I’m so glad the Coast Guard exists.

[@tarbaby315]

As a 3rd gen waterman bodysurfing 25-30’ Wedge, you all have me greatest respect and appreciation. Too bad the person rescued from the Sandpiper turn red out to have stolen the boat and was trying to escape. A rescue and Arrest on graduation day, has to be a first.

[@Cleanbob503]

I live right by there my fishing grounds . Hands down the the worst bar , The coast guard are fearless and amazing thank you guys for what you do

[@caroltanner705]

My Dad was a PT Boat gunner in WWII. I bet he would love this report!

[@LenaMellow]

That helicopter rescue was wild. Congratulations to you all! Thank you for what you do.

[@seanbenton1213]

Growing up my dad spent 30 years in the CG. Always amazed at the things they did! 🇺🇸

[@theblackbear211]

I visit USCG Quillayute river whenever I pass through the area. I take a moment to visit the memorial to the surfboat crew that made the ultimate sacrifice while on a rescue mission on the 12th of February 1997. ..."That others might live to see home and friends". I spent over 30 years going to sea... the members of the Coast Guard are some of my heroes. Semper Paratus.

[@gatorbait1910]

🙏🙏 God bless them. My son is stationed there.

[@annamarielewis7078]

I’m desperately fearful of the ocean and I get very sea sick, so this is my worst nightmare, but I love to watch these kinds of shows and I so deeply admire the brave men who do this essential work.💪👍🙏

[@robertlaabs5066]

Awesome! Thank You 60 Minutes and the Brave Men & Women serving in the Coast Guard! 👍

[@jaredl.1738]

Much respect to the Coast Guard, they saved my neighbor's life in Florida in 2016

[@MalinoisDoodleMischief]

10:30 that must be a very special way to graduate. It gives me chills and tears me up thinking about that! That’s powerful!

[@JonFarner]

Coast Guard deserves way more credit. They work in water!!!

[@ukrainiipyat]

Graduation day interrupted by actual rescue - just like a movie!

[@matthewx7722]

Nice old school 60 Minutes. Welcome back

[@ForrestAnna]

So proud of these men, many of whom live in Astoria, Oregon!!!! Yeah

[@rabymaidahsavage258]

Ok hard NO for me, I'm staying on shore. Much respect to SURFMEN

[@robwalsh9843]

I remember watching a GoPro video of a Coastie rescue swimmer doing a training procedure. The guy crawled through water like it was nothing. I've never seen anyone swim like that.

[@danrodrigues3531]

The early surfmen must have been the toughest and strongest people out there, trying to save lives in boats without motors. They had balls bigger than the state of Texas...

[@ripblackmamba08]

God bless all you do. You men and women don't get nearly enough credit for what you do. Thank you Be safe and congratulations to all of you much well earned

[@galexymitzelplik9560]

These men and women are super humans. Im scared of the ocean on a calm sunny day. I would die of anxiety on a stormy night. Omg . Thank God for these people. Thank you!

[@RicoSuave077]

Semper Paratus to all my fellow Coasties past, present, and future 93' - 97'

[@michaelanderson4318]

That's exactly when I was in! Bravo 142

[@RicoSuave077]

@michaelanderson4318 yep, Yankee 142. USCG Mellon 93 -95 & Small Boat station LA/LB 95 - 97

[@patrickcraig6032]

I retired 93, 20 years a Snipe MK. Did 3 years Chetco River Lifeboat Station Oregon 74-77. All the best.

[@ibbylancaster8981]

God Bless all the young men and women that put on a uniform with the American Flag on it, who are willing to lay down their lives for total strangers. These folks are the real rock stars to all mariners. Much love to all and prayers for all their safety.

[@edrock4605]

Incredible people. Thanks for your service.

[@pjinsa2009]

Much much respect to these young men and women!❤❤❤

[@Willy-Wonka316]

I live across the river from that school. We also have air station Astoria along with 2 cutters in Astoria and a bouy tender. It is nice knowing they are here to serve our community and area. Watching once in awhile from around the jetties is a great pleasue. Keep up the great work USCG.

[@CaptSpence]

It’s wild that a lot of the classes get canceled bc the weather isn’t bad enough

[@surfart5448]

I'm not a Coastie, my grandson was stationed in the location of this video, I'm a surfer for 56 years now, have saved 6 people from drowning, however once on Lake Raven, saved a little girl but could not reach her father from a tipped over boat, neither knew how to swim. One young man in this video said he wants to know want it's like to save a person from the water. Bravery is not learned; it is a God given gift. Use it

[@USNveteran]

A big BZ to the new SURF MAN graduates you exemplify the "Semper Paratus" motto. This makes me remember one of my cruises to the North Atlantic/Norwegian Sea area in the fall one year on a LHA. On the worst day/night the seas were pretty bad, the next morning after it was over the port side cat walk on the boat was gone and that was about 50 feet off the water. FLY NAVY!!!

[@jackcloud8547]

I can feel the atmosphere at 12:50 through the screen right here. What an awesome moment.

[@charlotteruse158]

Wow, that is an impressive group of men and women and instructors. What a dream job.

[@BLUCHIEF]

This is what 60 minutes does best …we hope. Please 60 minutes just stick to “unique stories “….PLEASE stay out of politics.

[@lisad476]

God Bless them all. There's a special place I'm heaven for these wonderful folks who put their lives on the line for our loved ones...Thank you ❤

[@Bmg009]

To give ur life for others.. nothing more heroic than this. Thank you gentlemen..🫡

[@Robert-l4c7l]

My Father started his 27? 28 yr. military career in the US Coast Guard.

[@JoyceMiller-w3o]

Their bravery is amazing. God bless them

[@yves78]

Our service members are amazing

[@runeshadow]

The trainees did well. Now, they can begin growing that epic moustache.

[@chriswright2250]

God Bless the US COAST GUARD. ❤

[@Vantasticviews2]

I’ve been to that area many times and camped at Cape Disappointment Star Park right on the inlet. The sea there is a raging beast and these men and women, as well as the Bar Pilots and rescue swimmers, are some amazing people! ❤️

[@Doogie1954]

A job you may not come home from and ALL these young men can't wait to go to work, may you all come home safe. Congrats!!

[@thomasharrell4683]

I was a commerical fisherman for 15+years to go face to face with 20 to 30 feet breaking was you got to have no fear and love the challenge it's like a rush of facing danger

[@benberkovic]

They dream of and work towards saving lives, not taking lives... so in this regard, I respect them more than any soldier.

[@Jimlovescoffee]

I was a crew member in the early 80’s on the 44 MLB. Those boats were slower and drove different. But man could they handle those boats. Both fun and wild and the same time. They often train in 8-10 foot breaking waves. What they didn’t show is how they use there boats to break up waves by driving the boat into the waves so fishing boats can cross the bar. Happy to see the rescue aspect of the USCG being recognized.

[@bakenumber4]

Thanks to all surfmen for a job well done!

[@tanyawatkins7206]

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN. I feel the last four years has caused me to not take what the American military do for granted. We are the best. Though it had come at a great cost. We owe our freedoms to God and our military.

[@dannystephen591]

Just "Trainee" in this sense here at this location is so understated. It Should be changed to "superior trainee" . These men and women here are on a whole different level.

[@sinceforever]

I googled it. They have a series of certifications they have to earn before where they are actively leading search and rescue missions in non-surf conditions. So yeah, superior trainee is def a good way of putting it. None of those "trainees" were greenhorns, def had years of service under their belts before getting those checks. That series of certs Coxswain-> Heavy Weather Coxswain-> Surfman.

[@mcdavidstoddard]

This is great. But have you seen those jet ski drivers rescuing big wave surfers?

[@F14Hellcat]

Those boats they use are badass they don’t roll over or if they do they self right them selves they also give you the confidence to point it to a 20 foot wave it’s the hellcat of the see.

[@Charmcity199]

Washingtonian here. The mouth of the Columbia is treacherous AF. Hats off to the CG, the hero’s of the water

[@bethroesch2156]

We have so many heroes among us that do their jobs every day and we never even know it. This is like that. Living in Ohio, we don't have much need for a Coast Guard but they are vital to our coastal areas. They have a terrifying job. Battling Mother Nature is not for the faint of heart and I am grateful to see people brave enough and crazy enough to do it anyway. Saving lives is worth taking the risk and I am grateful for them 🙏🏼

[@ericbush6124]

Served 20 years 6 mos Small boat mostly Ships The Backbone of the CG is a Boatsains Mate then Machinery Technician which i was. I've been in treacherous Seas not like that though Best of the Best I retired 1998

[@gregoryfuzi4745]

Some of the few that go out when no one else will !

[@savidwatkins9014]

God Bless all the Coast Guard

[@AlbertMoyerJr]

Awesome, U.S. Coast Guard.

[@neurobook]

Awesomeness - great respect to these dedicated Americans!

[@sylvesterpalermo937]

Ever since seeing "The Guardian" I had my eyes opened to the mission of the Coast Guard. I knew they had difficult missions but there is no way to truly understand how difficult they can be. I have recently had the pleasure to become friends with a former Coast Guard member. He told me of a rescue which turned into a recovery when they finally found a boat with 7 dead Hatians. He went down the Helicopter hoist and managed to bring 4 up but the Helo had "bingo" and had to refuel so he waited several hours on a small boat with 3 dead men until the Helo returned. Not dangerous but certainly not a good place to be. These men and women deserve to be respected .