September 18, 2007
SFist Photo: Coast Guard Rescue at Golden Gate Bridge
Not too long ago, we were coming up the hill from the Warming Hut (you know, that building in the Presidio that caught on fire) and noticed a big commotion involving numerous peace officers and this big Coast Guard lifeboat. We're not going to focus on this particular incident, as some people feel that's generally not a good thing to do. So, with that in mind, see you on the next page. Or not, either way.
Some call it the Werther Effect, a tendency for people to get ideas from what they read and hear. In other words, talking about some issue can make it worse.
Several people told us how this person got into the water but we didn't see for ourselves. Once he was there, the reaction was swift. The coxswain up above, the engineer and the two crew members all worked together efficiently. We also don't know what happened with the person in the cold cold water. He looked to be in surprisingly good shape, considering. We do know that these well-trained representatives of the Coast Guard did all that they could. Because of a kind of voluntary news blackout, the work our Coast Guard does might not get the attention it deserves.
The smallest branch of the United States Armed Forces appears to be well-equipped with their self-bailing, self-righting, self-everythinging, all-alloy million-dollar-plus miracle boats. (These are very similar to SF Marine 1, the flagship of the SFPD's navy recently spotted by the good people at Telstar Logistics.) Is it true that the Coasties are happy to make more rescues, as some commenters believe? We're sure they're keeping busy, what with all the helicopters buzzing about, and sometimes crash landing.
Our thanks go out to everybody at the Golden Gate Motor Lifeboat Station for all the hard work that they do. Semper Paratus, Always Ready.
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Great article, nicely done.
"See you after the jump" -- perhaps that should be this Coast Guard Station's motto?
great spot on the coasties. I will always love them and their noble work.
Why can't they just put up a barrier on the bridge to stop all of this??? Why is there a debate about that? Just put it up and save lives.
Why waste resources of the COAST GUARD , hell looks like there are a lot of containers to check in Oakland last I saw, on some fool who leaps off the GG Bridge, hope they send him the bill!
"The smallest branch of the United States Armed Forces ..."
Actually, the coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security.
#6 Agree with you, except for the "actually" part.
http://www.uscg.mil/top/about/
So, the CG actually is the smallest branch of the United States Armed Forces ..."
.mil stands for military, non?
when did everyone start saying 'actually' so much? it's really annoying
great info here on the most popular spots to jump from the bridge:
http://www.sfgate.com/lethalbeauty/
SFistJim, Wikipedia to the rescue. The Coast Guard is now part of the Department of Homeland Insecurity.
Didn't say the CG wasn't part of Homeland Security.
Did say it's "the smallest branch of the United States Armed Forces", which it is, actually.
"The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is at all times a branch of the United States armed forces,"
Thanks for the shout out, Jim!
I got a tour of a Coast Guard MLB a few years ago during a visit to Fort Bragg. In case anyone is curious, here's the view from inside the cockpit of a boat like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/telstar/147399636/
Guest 4: because a barrier would be very expensive and it will diminish the beauty of the views of and from the bridge. Tourism is the heart of San Francisco's economy and the Golden Gate Bridge is a big draw.
Why the vague reference to someone jumping off the bridge? Why not just come out and say it? It's no secret, and the story was a bit unclear. And, you know you didn't have to blur out his face. I can see why the decision was made, but you didn't have to.
In response to No. 6 and MalcoveMagnesia (and a huge thank you to SFistJim), as a member of this fine outfit, I'll clear this up - The United States Coast Guard is a member of the United States Armed Forces as it so clearly states on my ID card issued from the Geneva Convention (how do you like that!). Yes, we are a part of the Department of Homeland Security, but we are also MILITARY - US Armed Forces. We even fight in wars and have many men and women overseas for Operation Iraqi Freedom along with the other 4 branches of the military.
Semper Paratus
Hooorah!
This finally annoyed me enough to register for commenting-making. :) The USGS is not the smallest branch of the US Uniformed Services. Both NOAA and the US Public Health Service have elements that are uniformed (usually commissioned) officers.