Surface Tension: The cutter surface swimmer

Posted by LT Connie Braesch, Thursday, December 16, 2010

Story and photos by Seaman Adam Stanton

Seaman Joshua Angelica

Seaman Joshua Angelica, a cutter surface swimmer stationed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, attaches himself to the j-bar davit for man overboard training. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Adam Stanton.

When you think of a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, the first thought that comes to mind is of a Coastie jumping out of a helicopter to pull someone to safety. But the Coast Guard has another kind of swimmer… the cutter surface swimmer.

The cutter surface swimmer program takes volunteer crewmembers with strong swimming skills and maritime knowledge and trains them in basic life-saving skills and recovery situations. The candidates go through a physical and written qualification process, where only the best qualified members are selected.

“The training builds you up to get you in the ocean. You learn in a controlled environment, and then, apply the training to a real life situation,” said Coast Guard Seaman Joshua Angelica, a cutter surface swimmer stationed aboard Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, homeported in Alameda, Calif.

SN Angelica leaning back

Seaman Angelica is one of two cutter surface swimmers aboard the Waesche and is constantly training and honing his qualifications in the event of a search and rescue mission. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Adam Stanton.

All cutters have at least one qualified surface swimmer aboard whereas cutters with flight decks have a minimum of two cutter surface swimmers aboard while the cutter is underway. Because deploying a surface swimmer off a cutter comes with risks, a certified line tender, responsible for tending the swimmer’s line and maintaining communication through a series of hand signals, is partnered with every surface swimmer.

The program has a dual purpose; providing for the safety of the general public in distress and for the crew in the event there is a shipmate overboard. While rescuing someone in a small boat is the preferred recovery method for persons in the water, a surface swimmer can be an ideal asset especially in cases where survivors are fatigued, entangled or injured.

“Its an eye opener of how challenging the conditions are in the ocean and in rough seas,” said Angelica discussing the training he and his fellow swimmers do on the open ocean. “As a cutter surface swimmer, you think about that worse case scenario where a person can’t move and a small boat cant get to them in really rough seas, we need to be prepared for that.”

The rigid training schedule surface swimmers maintain prepares them for real-life situations where every second counts. When disaster strikes at sea, and a life is in peril, you can count on the Coast Guard’s cutter surface swimmers to be ready to respond.

Tags: , , ,


  • Robert Jeffery

    Excellent article, it opens a book of memories of the efforts and sacrifizes that the cutter rescue swimmer should have received. Long over due article from a cutter rescue swimmer from the 70′s.

    BZ,

    Robert Jeffery,
    Retired MCPO

  • Bob Lubin

    During my time as a small boat crewman, it was my desire to stay OUT of the water, except of course during swim call!

    Kudos and my admiration for surace swimmers. I didn’t know there was such a duty in the CG until now.

  • Carole Tullos

    With all the special, unique training our coasties accomplish, we must support our Coast Guard, and what you stand for. CIVILIANS, DO NOT stand by and let our government take away their cutters and their funding,

    A PROUD COASTIE MOM

  • Kurt Jahnke

    Well, this is how I began my Coast Guard career. Some very spooky water entries from time to time.

  • Tony Adams (Ret Aviation)

    Now I have something else to brag on about my fellow Coasties…!!!

  • John Law

    You guys amaze me with all you do. I was Navy but have two sons who are Coasties.
    Thanks

  • http://coastguardcompass Chad

    Finally someone besides the airdales are recognized. The cutter fleet spends so much time gone from home does the work everybody else complains about and gets no recognition. BZ to the cutterman for doing the hardest job in the CG.

  • Dad

    My son was the swimmer on both his last two cutters. We are very proud of him. He’s since re-enlisted, and moved on to Operations.

  • Christine

    My utmost admiration to all who are in the coast guard. It was my dream at one time before I had a family and I got too old (29 now). I still dream about it, but it’s not possible now given my age and my 10 month old. thanks to all in the Coast Guard and to all in other branches of the military. I have heard many stories from veterans I used to care for in nursing homes who have been forgotten. Thanks to all of you, past and present.

  • Joseph Lowther

    Nice article by SN Adam Stanton.
    I was a cutter suface swimmer aboard a 95 footer(Cape Current)in 1972. Long overdue recognition for them. Went on to become a Commercial Deep Sea Diver. These are the things that open doors for people.
    Let us also not forget the USCG surface fleet in the Persian Gulf.
    Keep up the good work sailors….

    Joseph Lowther
    USCG Veteran

  • Kathy D

    As a proud COASTIE MOM – I have to agree with Carole Tullos – the government keeps cutting funds for cutters, when our Homeland heros should be supported! I am very proud of all COASTIES, you are amazing and selfless heros.

  • Bob Eiess

    This brings back fond memories as a cutter surface swimmer myself aboard CGC MELLON from 1999-2002. Though it was tough training it was not without its high points. It got me out of watch many times (always a plus!) and one time I was put in the water about 15 miles off the Oregon coastline to test some prototype man-overboard locator equipment. While I was treading water with the smallboat a half-mile away and the cutter just over the horizon I was “inspected” by a small pod of porpoises who closely circled me for a few minutes before deciding I wasn’t very entertaining. After an initial tense few moments of seeing dorsal fins and realizing they weren’t sharks I just enjoyed the chirping and mild bumping I was receiving. Good times.

  • Tom

    Spent two great years on the Cutter Campbell as the Cutter swimmer and actually had some difficult cases in the North Atlantic and Haitan/Cuban crisis. Minimal recognition goes to the cutter fleet for this type of stuff, but they get the job done. Keep up the good work Cutter Swimmers!