Security Levels
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New Surfman Pinned at the Gate |
January 21, 2009 - After completing a long and arduous
qualification process, BM2 Brett Bonner achieved the highly coveted
certification as a 47 foot Motor Lifeboat Surfman. BM2 Bonner began
his Motor Lifeboat training directly following boot camp at Station
Yaquina Bay in Oregon, continued at his next unit, Station Hatteras
Inlet in North Carolina and to date here at Station Golden Gate. BM2
Bonner also attended the National Motor Lifeboat School in Washington
where he honed the skills he had acquired on the job. The role of Surfman
is a time honored position that dates back almost 200 years. Only the
most skilled boat handlers achieve this status and BM2 Bonner had to
go through a long process of becoming qualified as a Motor Lifeboat
crewman, basic coxswain and heavy weather coxswain before even being
allowed to attempt to train as a Surfman. BM2 Bonner will now be called
on to operate the Motor Lifeboat in perilous conditions, seas up to
30 feet, breaking surf of 20 feet, and sustained winds of 50 knots.
BM2 Bonner will now be added to the registry of surfman maintained by
the NMLBS. Two surfman checks (a traditional surfman badge) will be
made engraved with BM2 Bonner's name and permanent surfman number, one
he will receive and the second will hang on a wall at the NMLBS along
side his fellow surfman. BM2 Bonner is commended for his hard work in
achieving this very respected position. Bravo Zulu!
-submitted by BM1 Lavender |
BM2 Thomas Makes Heavy Weather |
 January
21, 2009 - BM2 Jeff Thomas achieved a large milestone in his certification
as 47' Motor Lifeboat Heavy Weather Coxswain. This certification is
only given to those boat handlers skilled enough to handle a motor lifeboat
in extreme weather conditions, which is up to 20 foot seas, 8 foot breaking
surf and sustained winds of 40 knots. BM2 Thomas began his training
after basic training at Coast Guard Station Seattle. BM2 Thomas then
brought all the experience he gained as a boat coxswain in Seattle to
Station Golden Gate where he began applying that experience in heavy
weather situations. After attending the National Motor Lifeboat School
and accruing many hours operating in heavy weather, BM2 proved to his
command and unit Surfmen that he possessed the skills and temperament
to be a HW Coxswain. BM2 is commended for his hard work and patience
and now begins his training to become a Motor Lifeboat Surfman. Bravo
Zulu! -submitted by BM1 Lavender |
BM3 Zonsius Takes a Big Step |
January 21, 2009 - BM3 Chris Zonsius takes a big step
in his Coast Guard career by obtaining his certification as a 47 foot
Motor Lifeboat Basic Coxswain. He leaves his position as a seasoned
MLB Crew member and becomes the person now responsible for the safety
and well being of his crew, over a million dollars of Motor Lifeboat,
and the lives and property of the people he is tasked to assist. While
in his Coxswain break-in status, BM3 Zonsius quickly developed his boat
operating skills and consistently demonstrated the ability to make excellent
decisions. BM3 Zonsius has earned the confidence of his command and
trainers as well as the respect of his peers and subordinates. As a
Basic Coxswain, BM3 Zonsius is qualified to operate the Motor Lifeboat
in seas up to 10 feet, sustained winds of 30 knots, but no breaking
surf. Under the tutelage of the units Heavy Weather Coxswains and Surfmen,
BM3 now begins his training as a Heavy Weather Coxswain. Bravo Zulu!
-submitted by BM1 Lavender |
FN Mays-McIver Takes it With Him |
 January
21, 2009 - Not long after being certified as a Motor Lifeboat Crewmen.
Fireman Mays-McIver began the very difficult qualification process as
a MLB Engineer. After passing an oral board and practical underway "check
ride", Mac achieved certification as a 47 foot Motor Lifeboat Engineer
on Wednesday Morning. This certification is particularly difficult due
to the complicated systems on the state-of-the-art MLB. Long gone are
the days of the old stick and cable. Unfortunately Station Golden Gate
will not directly benefit from his new qualifications as Fireman Mays-McIver
will be deploying to the middle East in the coming months after receiving
some more specialized training on the east coast. So, Bravo Zulu to
Mac for a job well done and good luck in his new assignment!
-submitted by BM1 Lavender |
Last Modified 1/28/2009