ALCOAST 131/24 - MAR 2024 2023 AND 2024 ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA (AFRAS) GOLD AND SILVER MEDALS AND GEOFF PAGELS SAR PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR AWARDS' RECIPIENTS

R 211804Z MAR 24 MID120000971185U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 131/24
SSIC 16100
SUBJ: 2023 AND 2024 ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA (AFRAS) GOLD AND
SILVER MEDALS AND GEOFF PAGELS SAR PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR
AWARDS' RECIPIENTS
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 241225Z JAN 24/ALCOAST 032/24
1. Per REF (A), this ALCOAST announces the recipients of the 2023
and 2024 AFRAS Gold and Silver Medals and the Geoff Pagels SAR
Professionals of the Year awards. The Gold and Silver Medals are
awarded to Coast Guard enlisted members and Auxiliarists,
respectively, to recognize acts of extraordinary bravery during
rescues at sea. The Geoff Pagels SAR Professionals of the Year
awards recognize the outstanding contributions of Coast Guard
SAR professionals.
2. 2023 Award Recipients.
    a. AFRAS Gold Medal. The 2023 AFRAS Gold Medal is awarded to ME2
David Flores while serving at Maritime Safety and Security Team
(MSST) Houston during the rescue of an infant child and two adults
from the Rio Grande River on 02 June 2022, while deployed in
McAllen, Texas.
        (1) Just before daybreak, BM1 Jarrett Guerra, BM2 Corey
Connolly, and ME2 Flores were patrolling an uncharted 49-mile
section of the Rio Grande River when they received a report of an
overloaded life raft with approximately nine people crossing the
Rio Grande River. Once on scene, the crew observed two adult females
and an infant in the water without life jackets, struggling to stay
afloat.
        (2) BM1 Guerra maneuvered the boat alongside the individuals
in distress. Showcasing unmatched determination and without any
hesitation ME2 Flores dove into the water to save the sinking child
from drowning without regard for his own safety. After recovering
the boy from the water, ME2 Flores quickly swam back to the boat
and carefully handed the child to BM2 Connolly who began several
cycles of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until the child
regained consciousness and began to breath.
        (3) ME2 Flores then swam back to recover the two adult females
who were fighting to stay above the water. BM1 Guerra maneuvered the
boat toward the location of ME2 Flores and the two women, put the
boat in neutral and assisted ME2 Flores with bringing them onboard
the boat. ME2 Flores' heroic response and calm demeanor under
extreme pressure saved all three lives.
    b. 2023 Geoff Pagels SAR Professionals of the Year awards.
        (1) The 2023 Geoff Pagels SAR Professional of the Year Award
for Outstanding Contribution to SAR Readiness has been awarded to
Mr. Doug Samp, while serving as the Joint PACAREA/District 11 SAR
Program Manager. Mr. Samp's exceptional achievements have had
enterprise-wide and National-level impacts, and his efforts went
well beyond the requirements of his position.
            (a) Mr. Samp managed the District 11 SAR program,
providing invaluable planning, training, and oversight to the
District's 2,400 active duty, reserve, and civilian employees.
During 2022, District 11 managed over 2,065 SAR cases, resulting
in 469 lives saved, 2,282 lives assisted, and $2.6 million in
property saved in the execution of the Coast Guard SAR mission.
            (b) Mr. Samp's initiative, charisma, and infectious
enthusiasm built external awareness and support for maritime SAR,
which directly led to new partnerships across the Indo-Pacific,
Latin America, various California civil agencies, and the broader
maritime public. Partnering with the Ocean Rowing Society, he
created the District 11 Ocean Adventure Task Force to develop
reasonable and comprehensive safety requirements and regulations,
and Coast Guard monitoring of these high-risk transoceanic voyages.
He also collaborated with the National Weather Service to identify,
forecast, and disseminate advisories where weather conditions can
cause "sneaker waves," resulting in a 70 percent decrease in deaths.
            (c) Mr. Samp served as the lead U.S. representative for
SAR at the Pacific Partnership forum in the Philippines and
conducted exercises with the Japan Coast Guard, Philippines
Coast Guard, and Palawan civil authorities. Establishing the
first­ever Eastern Pacific SAR Forum, he created a large-scale
forum to share best practices and improve communications, reducing
workload for the U.S. and improving relationships with Mexico,
Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Chile.
            (d) Mr. Samp's enduring legacy of accomplishments and
influential contributions to the SAR program and superior mission
execution will continue to resonate through those he has
mentored and educated. He is regarded by his peers as one of the
finest and most dedicated SAR professionals in our Service.
        (2) The 2023 Geoff Pagels SAR Professional of the Year Award
for Outstanding Professionalism in SAR Mission Planning and
Coordination has been awarded to Joint Rescue Coordination Center
(JRCC) Norfolk for the coordination and response to the German
flagged Sailing Vessel (S/V) Faule Haut, 406 MHz distress beacon
activation on 05 June 2022. Lieutenant Commander John Mast,
Lieutenant Andrew Grady, Lieutenant Victoria Moon, Chief
Operations Specialist Brian Gainey, Operations Specialist First
Class Scott Dempsey, Operations Specialist First Class Starr
Franklin, and Mr. Thomas Botzenhart demonstrated outstanding
investigative work, coordination, and expert search planning in
saving the lives of three people.
            (a) On 05 June 2022, the S/V Faule Haut was 235 nautical
miles west of Bermuda enroute to the Azores when the vessel was
overtaken by Tropical Storm Alex. Winds exceeding 50 knots and
worsening seas battered the 40-foot vessel and a rogue wave
eventually caused it to capsize. The vessel rolled a full 360
degrees, rendering it demasted, partially swamped, and adrift.
Unable to control the vessel, the crewmen on board activated their
406 distress beacon and took shelter in the vessel.
            (b) In a case that showcased international and interagency
cooperation, the JRCC Norfolk watch team worked quickly to
coordinate a rescue that involved air assets from Air Station
Elizabeth City, Air Station Clearwater, and through coordination
with U.S. Fleet Forces Command, utilized the USS Bataan to refuel
the Air Station Elizabeth City H-60T twice.
            (c) After a 20-hour effort, and because of their
outstanding search planning, investigative efforts, and never-
ending coordination, all three crew members of sailing vessel were
safely rescued and returned to the U.S. where they were met by
the American Red Cross for further assistance to return home.
3. 2024 Award Recipients.
    a. AFRAS Gold Medal. The 2024 AFRAS Gold Medal is awarded to BM2
Joshua A. Marzilli, while serving as the Coxswain of Station Maui's
Response Boat-Medium (RB-M) during the response to the
unprecedented Western Maui wildfires, 08 to 09 August 2023.
        (1) Braving thick, dense smoke, flying embers, and navigating
through burning vessels and debris, BM2 Marzilli and his crew
rescued five individuals and assisted approximately 40 more with
safely escaping the raging flames that engulfed the historic town
of Lahaina, Maui.
        (2) An urgent request for Coast Guard assistance was received,
as local responders reported up to 100 people fleeing into the ocean
to escape the dangerous conditions on land. BM2 Marzilli transited
towards Lahaina in 30-knot winds, with gusts over 50, and three-foot
seas to locate people stranded in the water along the shoreline.
        (3) Once on scene and despite knowing the dangers, BM2
Marzilli volunteered to enter the perilous waters to swim to shore
and render assistance to those in distress. Overcoming the winds,
current and sharp coral, BM2 Marzilli teamed with an off-duty
lifeguard and traversed the reef to shore with a surfboard provided
by a Good Samaritan vessel. BM2 Marzilli and the off-duty lifeguard
rescued two children by paddling them through the heavy surf break
to an awaiting Good Samaritan vessel.
        (4) Upon returning to shore a second time, BM2 Marzilli
supported the Maui Fire Department's request to assist with
evacuating approximately 40 people, including carrying three non-
ambulatory evacuees through downed electrical poles and debris to a
rescue vehicle. Once back onboard the RB-M, BM2 Marzilli led his
crew on a final sweep of Lahaina Harbor, rescuing two more
survivors.
        (5) BM2 Marzilli's stamina, focus, and bravery in the face of
imminent personal danger was vital to the Coast Guard's mass rescue
efforts during the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.
    b. AFRAS Silver Medal. The 2024 AFRAS Silver Medal is awarded
to Auxiliarist Alfred Verdi, boat crewmember Auxiliarist Lori
Barfield, and boat crew trainee Auxiliarist John Durrer of Auxiliary
Facility Adesso II for their rescue of five adults and two children
from a 22-foot Bayliner that lost power near the rock jetty in Los
Angeles Harbor, on 02 July 2023.
        (1) Upon receiving the notification of distress, Adesso II
immediately diverted to assist the threatened Bayliner, which had
lost power and was adrift in 3-foot seas, with 10-15 knots of wind
blowing the boat directly onto the rock jetty.
        (2) Auxiliarist Barfield quickly threw a tow line to the
pleasure craft, and Auxiliarist Durrer tended the slack in the tow
line until the other end was safely secured to the pleasure craft's
bow cleat. The Adesso II crew showcased their exemplary seamanship
skills by relocating all persons to a safe location during the tow
of the disabled vessel that was in grave danger of capsizing near
the jetty. The actions of the Adesso II's crew saved the lives of
everyone onboard.
    c. 2024 Geoff Pagels SAR Professionals of the Year awards.
        (1) The 2024 Geoff Pagels SAR Professional of the Year Award
for Outstanding Contribution to SAR Readiness has been awarded to
Mr. Scott Talbot. As the District 8 SAR Program Manager, Mr. Talbot
manages one of the most robust District SAR plans for the largest
District contiguous Area of Responsibility encompassing 26 states,
over 11,500 miles of inland rivers and 1,200 miles of coastline.
As a member of the National SAR Council, Mr. Talbot provides
subject matter expertise to challenging cases across the Coast
Guard.
            (a) Mr. Talbot continuously demonstrates a strong
dedication to the modernization of the Coast Guard SAR system.
As a vital member of the National Personal Qualification Standard
revitalization team, Mr. Talbot worked with Headquarters and
provided sound recommendations targeted at training an improved SAR
mission ready workforce. As a member of the National SAR School
working group, tasked with updating SAR schoolhouse curriculum and
modernizing training methodology, Mr. Talbot provided vital
strategic recommendations to modernize the entire SAR training
system, updating the legacy course of instruction to match future
Coast Guard requirements. Mr. Talbot also served as a member of the
Coast Guard Addendum revision team, contributing greatly to
revitalizing SAR mission policy into a more agile and operator-
friendly manual.
            (b) Mr. Talbot was hand selected to be the board president
and lead a team of five subject matter experts in conducting a SAR
Case Study into the submersible TITAN's response in June 2023. The
study included an innovative application of the Coast Guard's Human
Factors Analysis system currently used in Mishap Analysis Boards.
Mr. Talbot's leadership, SAR experience, and depth of knowledge have
been invaluable to the analysis of the TITAN SAR case, providing
recommendations that will lead to an overall improvement of the
Coast Guard SAR system.
            (c) As the District 8 SAR Coordinator's direct
representative, Mr. Talbot personally reviewed and validated all SAR
Mission Coordinator (SMC) qualifications across seven Sectors,
ensuring every member met the standard. To ensure continued
professional growth of all members holding the SMC and Active Case
Suspension (ACTSUS) authority, Mr. Talbot held quarterly conference
calls, attended by Sector Commanders, Deputies, Air Station
Commanding Officers, and all SMCs ensuring policy revisions were
articulated, concerns were addressed, and unique cases discussed,
resulting in a stronger and unified SAR system across the District.
            (d) Serving as both SMC and ACTSUS Authority for District
8, Mr. Talbot greatly contributed to over 2,000 SAR cases prosecuted
by D8 annually, leading to more than 700 lives saved and
3,000 lives assisted, as well as over $100 million in property saved
or assisted.
        (2) The 2024 Geoff Pagels SAR Professional of the Year Award
for Outstanding Professionalism in SAR Mission Planning and
Coordination has been awarded to Sector Jacksonville for the rescue
of a missing fisherman on 04 August 2023. CDR Nicholas Barrow, Mr.
William (Tony) Wells, OS1 Blake Mann, Mr. Rex Walsingham, OS2 Adrian
Gutierrez, and OS2 Steven Rivera Moreno demonstrated outstanding
interagency coordination and search planning in the rescue of a
fisherman that was swept out to sea.
            (a) At 1700, Sector Jacksonville was notified by the
mother of an overdue and missing person last seen at home at
midnight, who had gone fishing in an eight-foot small boat sometime
before 0700. Recognizing a diminishing three-hour window of
daylight and the length of time the fisherman had been missing
without contact, the Sector Jacksonville SAR Mission Coordinator
(SMC) determined the case to be in the distress phase, dispatched
Coast Guard air and surface assets, and initiated a multi-agency
search.
            (b) Due to outstanding partnerships built and maintained
over many years, St. Augustine Fire and Police Departments, St.
Johns Sheriff's Office, St. Johns County Fire Rescue, and Florida
Fish and Wildlife joined the search with additional boats and
aircraft. A local command post established at Lighthouse Boat Ramp
enabled force integration and on scene tactical coordination for the
Command Center watch team.
            (c) In the first several hours of the search, the team
developed and managed nearly 30 independent sorties involving eight
boats and three aircraft in portions of the Intercoastal Waterway
where the fisherman was known to operate. After sunset and with no
sightings, the team paused to re-evaluate their search planning
assumptions and theories used in search planning to account for the
possibility that the boat may have been swept out to sea in the
early morning hours. This was a critical juncture that put into
motion a series of actions which ultimately saved the missing
fisherman's life.
            (d) Skillfully managing inter-agency resources to cover
other plausible areas in the Tolomato, Matanzas, and San Sebastian
Rivers, CGC Coho and an RB-M were dispatched for offshore searches
overnight. Prioritizing a larger air asset coverage area over track
spacing more appropriate for a small search object, a first light
search with multiple split patterns was generated for a C-130
aircraft.
            (e) This search resulted in the missing fisherman being
located at 1000 on 05 August, first by radar and then visually, in
the northeastern portion of the C-130's assigned three-hour search,
12 miles offshore. CGC Coho was vectored to the fisherman's
location, brought on board the cutter, and rushed to awaiting
emergency medical services in St. Augustine. After being at sea for
30 hours, the rescued fisherman was severely dehydrated and
suffering from sun poisoning; however, he made a full recovery.
            (f) The mission excellence and unity of effort
demonstrated in this case directly contributed to the rescue of the
missing fisherman from his swamped eight-foot boat.
4. In addition to the Gold and Silver Medal and the Geoff Pagels
SAR Professionals of the Year award recipients, all 2023 and 2024
award nominees demonstrated exceptional courage and professionalism.
These outstanding nominees include:
    a. 2023 Geoff Pagels SAR Professionals of the Year Awards.
        (1) Outstanding Contribution to SAR Readiness:
            (a) Mr. Christopher Eddy, District Seven.
            (b) Mr. Matthew Brooks, District Five.
        (2) Outstanding Professionalism in SAR Mission Planning and
Coordination:
            (a) OS3 Keiasia Arnold, Sector Maryland-NCR.
            (b) Command Center Team, Sector Guam.
b. 2024 Awards.
        (1) AFRAS Gold Medal:
            (a) MKC Justin S. Thornton, CGC Beluga.
            (b) MK2 Chad N. Rollins, CG Station Sabine.
        (2) AFRAS Silver Medal: Auxiliarists Gary Kessler, Stephen
Wyatt, Judith Gettmann, and Kelly Murray, Auxiliary Flotilla
070-0404.
        (3) 2024 Geoff Pagels SAR Professionals of the Year Awards.
            (a) Outstanding Contribution to SAR Readiness: CWO Michael
Zapawa, Sector San Francisco.
            (b) Outstanding Professionalism in SAR Mission Planning
and Coordination:
                i. CDR Nestor Lazu-Rivas, CWO3 Daniel Capestany, OS1
Ligia Hutton, OS2 Bradley Salazar Colon, and OS3 Alejandro Martinez
Melendez, Sector San Juan.
                ii. Atlantic Area Command Center, District 5/JRCC
Norfolk, Sector New York Command Center, and District 1/JRCC Boston
teams.
4. Both the 2023 and 2024 AFRAS Gold and Silver Medals and the Geoff
Pagels SAR Professionals of the Year awards will be honored at a
ceremony hosted by AFRAS on 09 April 2024, at the Hart Senate Office
Building, Washington, D.C.
5. Congratulations to the award recipients and all nominees on a job
well done.
6. COMDT (CG-SAR) Awards POC: Mr. Mike Clarke (202) 372-2090;
email: michael.e.clarke@uscg.mil.
7. Ms. Dana S. Tulis, Director, Office of Emergency Management
(CG-5RI), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.