When a storm system creates heavy surf along the West Coast, the U.S. Coast Guard comes out in force, though it’s not always for a rescue at sea. Sometimes, big waves produce a perfect training ground.
Such was the case on the Umpqua River on Nov. 26 when Mary Ann Nash captured video of two vessels maneuvering directly into the massive surf near Winchester Bay Bar in Douglas County, Oregon.
The video of the USCG training in the surf was posted to Oregon’s Bay Area Facebook page, where commenters were amazed, dazzled and awed of—and appreciative by—the work of our Coast Guard. Among the comments:
“Nothing like hands-on practical training.”
“Awesomeness.”
“Surfing backwards, neat trick.”
“Some brave souls.”
“My stomach just believed that I am on that boat.”
“The Oregon bars are some of the most treacherous.”
“A great way to training the crew to handle the boat in high seas especially when requested to help other vessels in trouble during the storm. Lots of smaller crafts driven by local boat owners are not or do not know how to maneuver their craft in rough seas.”
“Never seen anyone ‘back’ into an inlet before. I understand why, and the Captain has obviously done this before. And of course, that vessel is designed for such fun stuff.”
“Having grown up in the Coos Bay area and watched USCG boats trying to deal with such heavy surf, I decided that was a job best left to braver souls than I.”
“Surfman hero training future Surfmen. I cannot applaud them enough!”
So true.
Photos courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard Station Umpqua River.