Surfman ceremony planned

The U.S. Coast Guard was formed initially in the early 1900s with the merger of several federal maritime organizations. One of the major ones was the United States Life-Saving Service (1871-1915). The lifesavers working at these stations were called “surfmen” and were ranked #1 through #8, with one being the highest.

When the service became the Coast Guard, the nomenclature for the various ranks all changed, and the term “surfman” was dropped. Many years later it was reinstated and is now a very coveted title earned only after years of rigorous and intensive training (from one to six years). Each surfman gets a unique number, now never to be repeated, and then joins what the Coast Guard calls “an elite community.” Of the 188 Coast Guard boat stations nationwide, only 20 are in areas with surf conditions that require surfmen. Of those 20, only five are on the East Coast. Two of those five are Station Oregon Inlet and Station Hatteras Inlet, right here flanking Hatteras Island.

BM1 (Bosun Mate First Class) Matthew Sprague of Station Oregon Inlet recently achieved Surfman Status. A formal ceremony will be held to honor this rare accomplishment. Surfmen and other Coast Guardsmen in the area will be present. All Coast Guard auxiliarists in the area are also invited.

Most appropriately, this rare ceremony will not only be held at the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site & Museum in Rodanthe, but it will be held there this Thursday (25 AUG) at 2 p.m. at the beginning of the regularly scheduled Beach Apparatus Drill (also known as the Breeches Buoy Reenactment). The Guest Speakers will be Senior Chief Ron McCready and BM1 Kenneth Akana, both of U.S. Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat Station Oregon Inlet.

The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site & Museum is one of the many sites on the Historic Albemarle Tour and the National Outer Banks Scenic Byway. To learn more about Chicamacomico, its exciting activities and offerings, visit www.chicamacomico.net, or email at clss@embarqmail.com or call 252-987-1552.