Guardian of the Week – The crew of the Amy Julie

Friday, October 8, 2010

Posted by: LT Connie Braesch

Last week, the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) held its annual award ceremony and awarded the Gold AFRAS medal to Aviation Survival Technician First Class Pepe Carire.

This week the Compass brings you the story of the AFRAS Silver Medal winners, presented to the coxswain and crew of the Auxiliary vessel Amy Julie: Robert Joseph, Leo Lake, Paul Sadeck and Rodney Thomas.

The volunteer crew of the Amy Julie set out on the morning of August 26, 2009, for a routine safety patrol on Buzzards Bay, Mass. As noon approached, the once calm summer breeze quickly stiffened and began gusting to 25 knots.

The crew of the Amy Julie decided that it was best to start checking on popular fishing and recreational boating areas. The crew’s plan to check the popular areas paid off, when the Amy Julie approached a fishing area and spotted a 17-foot center console boat submerged to the gunnels.

Crew of the Amy Julie

The crew of the Amy Julie stands with Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp after they were presented with the AFRAS silver metal. The crew of the Amy Julie: Robert Joseph, Leo Lake, Paul Sadeck and Rodney Thomas. Coast Guard photo by Telfair Brown.

The boat had been swamped in the rolling seas with the two people on board in waist deep water. Thomas was able to translate for the distressed boaters, and the crew found that shockingly, there was a third man missing in the water.

The Auxiliary crew immediately contacted Coast Guard Station Menemsha, who launched a response boat, but due to the sea conditions and winds, the station crew still had 45 minutes before they could arrive on scene.

The station watchstanders directed the Amy Julie to remove the two men from the boat without delay and to start searching for the third boater who was now missing in the water.

“The captain told us that a third man had fallen off the boat near a red buoy and that they had been swamped about an hour ago,” said Sadeck. “Both men were frantic about their friend who had fallen into the water. They kept telling us that he fell near a red buoy.”

The crew had extensive knowledge of the local area and knew that the nearest red buoy was nearly one and a quarter miles southwest of them – directly into the oncoming waves.

Silver Medal plaque

The AFRAS Silver Medal is presented annually to a deserving United States Coast Guard Auxiliarist(s) who performs a rescue at sea. Coast Guard photo by Telfair Brown.

The Amy Julie head straight into the waves, and as they closed in on the red buoy, they spotted the missing boater as he struggled in the water. He was nearing exhaustion, with his left arm around a child’s orange life jacket and a cushion tucked under his right arm.

“He looked exhausted and as we approached him he lost the cushion,” said Sadeck. “We threw him the life ring and it landed right over his arm. We pulled him to the boat and lifted him aboard.”

With all three boaters now safe, the crew directed their attention to getting the conscious but lethargic man to shore. The three survivors were transported to an awaiting ambulance where they were provided medical aid.

The coxswain and crew of Amy Julie may have used their gut instinct to make one last trip to the popular fishing area, but their training and ability to adapt as the situation progressed proved that the Coast Guard’s volunteer force, is a vital force.

Do you know a Coastie that has done something great for the service, the missions or the public? Please submit your nominations for Guardian of the Week using the submit link on the right.

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  • Admiral Bob Papp

    Shipmates:

    It was an honor for me to meet all of you at the AFRAS reception in Washington. Bravo Zulu…three lives saved due to the four of you going out when others would be returning to port. I’m proud of you!

    I would add to the photo caption above that the National Commodore (elect) Jim Vass (at the left of the photo) was there to honor you as well.

    Thanks to all our Shipmates in the USCG Auxiliary!

    Admiral Bob Papp
    Commandant

  • http://CGweb James E. Mello

    I am am member of Flotilla 65, an auxiliary coxswain, and friend of most of the recipients of AFRAS award. These gentlemen did what we as boatcrew and coxswains are trained to do. They saved lives! One of them is a nurse, two are retired from the federal service where they held senior management positions. They take the “job” of being a CG Auxilarist seriously. They truely exemplify Honor, Respect, Duty.

    Bravo Zulo!

    Jim Mello

  • Cajun Joe

    Thanks Fellahs! Every unit I’ve been to that had an Auxilliary unit made tremendous contributions to the mission and I appreciate all that you do for us active duty folks and the public!

    “LV”

  • Blair Warnke

    Bravo Zulu as well!

    In the sunset of my Dad’s life, learning more of what he did and why, it is with great pride to know that the branch he served with made, and still makes a difference!

    Thank You for your Service!

    Regard’s,

    Blair Warnke

  • Russ Burress,BMC,USCG (Ret.)

    Congratulations and well done to the Coxswain and crew of the Auxillary vessel Amy Julie. Your deication and skill is a vital part of what the Coast Guard Auxillary means to fullfilling the Coast Guard mission. I recently joined Flotilla 71 here in Longview,Wa because I want to share my knowledge and expertise with my fellow Auxillarists as well as become part of one of the finest and dedicated volunteer organizations in the Country. Bravo Zulu!

  • Dave Mitchell

    I’m a new Flotilla 65 member – qualified for boat crew this summer. I’ve been on patrol with all four award recipients. In addition to Coast Guard Aux training, civilian backgrounds in emergency response and medicine, and years of experience patrolling the area together made these four the group you would want on the water if you were in trouble. Rodney Thomas’s language skill appears to have made the third rescue possible as he was able to determine that a third person had left the distressed boat. We never know what ancillary skills will be critical. So the more different skills in the mix the better. As a team their skills were effectively pooled to give a better outcome than even the most talented might have accomplished alone.

  • Carlos Martinez, CWO4, USCG (Ret)

    Gentlemen,

    Congratulations for a job well done. Thanks for the great work that you all do. I proudly served in the U.S. Coast Guard and eventually I retired after 32 years of active duty service. Thank you for keeping our tradition of “SEMPER PARATUS”…always ready that others may live. God bless America!