Commandant
United States Coast Guard
2100 Second Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Staff Symbol: G-OCS-1
Phone: (202) 267-4315
Fax: (202) 267-4593
COMDTINST 16114.38
17 OCT 2003
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 16114.38
Subj: REGISTER OF SURFMEN
1. PURPOSE
. This Instruction establishes the United States Coast Guard Register of Surfmen.
2. ACTION
. Area and district commanders, commanders of maintenance and logistics commands,
commanding officers of headquarters units, assistant commandants, Chief Counsel, and special staff
offices at Headquarters shall comply with this Instruction. Internet release authorized.
3. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED
. Personnel Manual, COMDTINST M1000.6(series) and Boat
Operations and Training Manual, Volume 1, COMDTINST M16114.32(series), will be updated to
reflect the provisions of this Instruction.
4. BACKGROUND
. Coast Guard Surfmen are part of a tradition of lifesavers that dates back almost
200 years. The title “surfmen” is derived from the United States Lifesaving Service (USLSS). The
rescuers of the USLSS were known as surfmen; these brave and daring men rescued over 178,000
people in distress during the 44-year history of their service. Today, the Coast Guard has retained
the title of surfmen for its most highly trained boat handlers. While technology has both reduced the
risk of peril on the sea and improved our ability to render aid; operating rescue boats in surf and
heavy breaking seas remains one of the most challenging and dangerous tasks Coast Guard boat
crews perform. Very few people complete the extensive and difficult training to prove their ability
to operate in these conditions and achieve qualification as surfmen.
5. DISCUSSION
. The Register is an official list of members who achieve qualification as surfmen.
Members will be entered in the Register in order of their original certification date and be assigned a
unique register number. The Register recognizes the significant accomplishment of qualifying as
surfmen, signifies the membership of individuals in this elite community and honors the shore-based
lifesavers from which Surfman have received their legacy.
DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 140
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
A
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 111111 1 1
B
1 8 10 1 1 1 1 1
C
1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1
D
1 2 3 1
E
1 11 11
F
G
H
NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION:
