ALCOAST 402/21 - NOV 2021 2021 ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA (AFRAS) AWARD RECIPIENTS

R 011420Z NOV 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 402/21
SSIC 16100
SUBJ: 2021 ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA (AFRAS) AWARD RECIPIENTS
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 131719Z MAY 21/ALCOAST 183/21
1. Per REF (A), this ALCOAST announces the recipients of the 2021
AFRAS Gold and Silver Medals. The Gold and Silver Medals are awarded
to a Coast Guard enlisted member and Auxiliarist, respectively, for
an act of extraordinary bravery during a rescue at sea.
2. Gold Medal.
   a. The 2021 Gold Medal is awarded to Boatswain's Mate First Class
(BM1) Wallace C. Qual, U.S. Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay. BM1
Qual led a beach team in the rescue of the master of the 44 foot
Fishing Vessel (FV) LEGEND.
   b. At approximately 0130 local time on September 8th, 2020, FV
LEGEND reported running aground in the vicinity of the Yaquina Bay
channel entrance near Newport, Oregon. A rare wind event coupled
with local fires resulted in extremely challenging on scene
conditions including 60-70 knot wind gusts, 6-8 feet of surf, and
visibility less than 200 yards due to blowing sand, smoke, and ash.
After determining the exact position of FV LEGEND, a 47 foot Motor
Lifeboat (MLB), the 52 foot MLB VICTORY, and a Coast Guard MH-65
helicopter from Air Facility Newport were launched. While extreme
winds and poor visibility forced the helicopter to return to Air
Facility Newport immediately after take-off, shallow water rendered
the two MLBs unable to directly assist in the rescue.
   c. It was determined that a beach rescue team might reach the
vessel and that BM1 Qual would lead the rescue. The beach party
located FV LEGEND by spotting a faintly flickering navigation light
in the low-visibility conditions. Dressed in full SAR ensemble and
carrying an additional 20 pounds of rescue equipment, BM1 Qual led
the beach rescue team in running approximately two miles down the
beach to arrive on scene.
   d. Realizing that no helicopters were able to fly in the on scene
conditions and the two MLBs were unable to assist, BM1 Qual donned
the swimmer's harness and mask and made preparations to enter the
water. The low visibility and rapid drift prevented BM1 Qual from
reaching the master on his first rescue attempt. He returned to
shore and instructed the team to move further down the beach and
once again, BM1 Qual entered the water. Battling the high surf,
wind driven sand, ash and smoke, and hurricane force wind gusts,
BM1 Qual finally succeeded in reaching the master. The beach rescue
team was then able to pull BM1 Qual, with the master in tow, to
shore using the swimmer tending line.
   e. During the rescue, BM1 Qual placed his own life in grave
danger on two occasions in the process of rescuing the master
of FV LEGEND. His actions in the early morning hours of
September 8th, 2020, were nothing short of heroic.
3. SILVER MEDAL.
   a. On August 8th, 2020, Auxiliarists Gary and Shelley Markle
were returning to their slip on their Personal Water Crafts (PWC)
at Burnham Harbor in Chicago, Illinois. During the transit, they
were notified by a Good Samaritan of a possible drowning from the
vessel ICEMAN II. While Auxiliarist Gary Markle notified Coast Guard
Station Chicago, Auxiliarist Shelly Markle set up a safety perimeter
to keep other boats clear of the incident location.
   b. Swimmers in the vicinity spotted a man on the lake bottom in
12 feet of water. Auxiliarist Gary Markle notified Station Chicago
where the survivor was located and requested medical assistance. As
the swimmers struggled with retrieving the drowned swimmer,
Auxiliarist Gary Markle dismounted his PWC to assist in bringing
the survivor aboard ICEMAN II. Auxiliarist Shelley Markle notified
Station Chicago that the swimmer was being brought to the surface,
was unresponsive, and again requested medical personnel and
immediate assistance.
   c. While still in the water, Auxiliarist Gary Markle advised
the other swimmers on how to push water from the lungs of the
unresponsive drowned swimmer. Observing that the drowned swimmer
was not breathing, and the other swimmers were panicked and
improvising chest compressions, he requested the assistance of
Auxiliarist Shelley Markle. Auxiliarist Shelley Markle dismounted
her PWC, and swam and boarded ICEMAN II where she immediately took
control of the situation. Auxiliarist Shelley Markle quickly cleared
the area, directed another bystander to stabilize the survivors head
and began CPR while instructing the other passengers to don life
jackets. Realizing she would need assistance due to the anticipated
duration of time for EMS to arrive, Auxiliarist Shelly Markle
requested a volunteer and instructed him on how to perform chest
compressions. While the two traded-off chest compressions, she
repeatedly directed passengers, who appeared to be in shock, to
don life jackets, and move ICEMAN II closer to shore.
   d. As Auxiliarist Shelley Markle initiated CPR and handled the
management of panicked passengers, Auxiliarist Gary Markle boarded
one of the PWCs and began transporting Chicago Fire Department
personnel and paramedics from land to the ICEMAN II as it slowly
transitioned towards shore. When these rescue personnel eventually
relieved Auxiliarist Shelley Markle from CPR duties, she continued
to assist with counseling and managing the passengers aboard
ICEMAN II.
   e. A Chicago Fire Boat along with multiple Coast Guard and
Chicago Police Marine unit vessels arrived, took over responsibility
of the survivor and transported him to an ambulance at a nearby
marina. Once on land, the survivor was confirmed to be revived
before his transport to a local hospital. Through their outstanding
and heroic efforts, Auxiliarists Gary and Shelley Markle saved an
individual's life.
4. In addition to the Gold and Silver Medal recipients, all 2021
AFRAS award nominees demonstrated exceptional courage and have
further enhanced the Coast Guard's reputation as the Lifesavers
and Guardians of the Sea. These outstanding nominees include:
   a. AST2 Grant B. Roberts, USCG Air Station Sitka, Alaska.
   b. AST2 Dakota J. Schick, USCG Air Station Houston, Texas.
   c. AET1 Robert C. Cowan, USCG Air Station Elizabeth City,
North Carolina.
5. This year's award ceremony, hosted by AFRAS on November 2, 2021,
in the House Rayburn Congressional Office Building, Washington, DC,
will recognize the 2020 Gold Medal Recipients, AST1 Eric Young and
AST1 Nathan Newberg, 2020 Silver Medal Recipients, Auxiliarists
Stephen Wyatt and Gloria Wyatt, and the 2021 Gold and Silver Medal
Award recipients.
6. Congratulations to the AFRAS 2021 and 2020 Gold and Silver Medal
recipients and all nominees on a job well done.
7. COMDT (CG-SAR) AFRAS awards POC: Mr. Michael Clarke
(202) 372-2090, Michael.E.Clarke@uscg.mil.
8. RDML S. W. Clendenin, Assistant Commandant for Response Policy
(CG-5R), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.