U.S. Coast Guard: More than a pin
LEVI READ USCG petty officer first class Apr 11, 2020
REEDSPORT — The call for assistance from the fishing vessel Brenna A had already come in, and the Coast Guard Station Umpqua River crews were preparing to swap duty sections. The oncoming duty section was led by the Coast Guard’s newest Surfmen, Petty Officers 2nd Class Enrique Lemos (No. 559) and Aaron Hadden (No. 560). The two of them discussed the escort request upon reporting for duty at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1.
They knew from the morning bar report that the Umpqua River bar was breaking at 14-feet on the series and also had 10 to 12-foot steep swells. The vessel, a 107-foot 198 gross ton fishing vessel, en route to Alaska had never crossed the Umpqua River bar before.
Lemos and Hadden also knew that they were supposed to stand in front of their shipmates at 8 a.m. and be pinned with the distinctive surfman pin, a silver-colored life ring on top of two crossed oars.
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