USCG’s Top 10 Videos of 2008

Yesterday, the U.S. Coast Guard announced the release of its top 10 video compilation for 2008 that highlights the service’s operations during a year marked by record cocaine seizures and dramatic search and rescue cases.  The video is posted on USCGimagery, the official Youtube channel of the United States Coast Guard.  Ok enough explanation, envelope please.  And the winners are….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oev-yQ7NOtU

Here is the detailed list of rescues featured:

• The seizure of a self-propelled, semi-submersible vessel and its cargo of about 15,000 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $196 million by boarding teams from the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett.
• The rescue of an injured logger near Quillayute River, Wash., by an aircrew from Air Station Port Angeles, Wash.
• The rescue of a mariner from Prince William Sound, Alaska, by an aircrew from Air Station Kodiak, Alaska.
• The tow of a disabled vessel caught in heavy weather near Sausalito, Calif., by boatcrews from Station Golden Gate, Sausalito.
• The rescue of four survivors of the sinking of the fishing vessel Katmai 100 miles west of Adak, Alaska, by an aircrew from Air Station Kodiak, Alaska.
• The pursuit of a vessel suspected of illegally fishing in U.S. waters one mile from the U.S. – Mexico border by a boatcrew from Station South Padre Island, Texas.
• The rescue of four people from a sailing vessel 172 miles east of Wilmington, N.C., by an aircrew from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C.
• The offload of 1,600 pounds of cocaine seized by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Forward.
• The rescue of a pilot and her dog from a crashed plane by an aircrew from Air Station Savannah, Ga.
• The interdiction and rescue of 104 Haitian migrants from an overloaded sail-freighter and from the water 20 miles south of Great Inagua, Bahamas, by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless.

Adm. Thad W. Allen, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (blog link), had the following remarks about the video:  “Through their relentless vigilance they have kept our nation safe and secured our national, economic and environmental interests — both at home and abroad — just as their predecessors have done for the last 218 years.  These videos are just a few of the shining examples that showcase our shipmates standing the watch.  It is this selfless dedication and devotion to duty that motivates me to ensure our men and women have the best resources and support available to meet the complex and dynamic hazards and threats of the 21st century.”

This has been an extraordinarily busy year for those in the marine causality business. A large Bravo Zulu goes out to all involved in saving lives at sea this year.

And in case you missed the top 10 of 2007, here it is…