Just about every week, we run a story about sailors being rescued by the Coast Guard and these rescues are often heroic. If you have ever seen a rescue swimmer being lowered from a CG helicopter into stormy seas, you will be amazed at what these guys can do. This week is no exception as you’ll see in the story (below) of a Coast Guard coordinated rescue of two men and their dog from a 30-foot cruising boat 200 miles off the East Coast. For cruising sailors like most of us, the Coast Guard plays a role that is tightly woven into the fabric of our chosen lifestyle and the risks that go with it. Close to shore, the Coast Guard is almost always within VHF radio range. Offshore, they are always a key player in any search and rescue mission. So, the wellbeing of the men and women of the Coast Guard is very much in all of our self-interests. The Coast Guard Foundation is a non-profit organization that was set up to make the lives of those who serve and their families better. Here’s how the foundation describes their mission on their website: “The Coast Guard Foundation tackles the toughest challenges confronting our heroes. We strengthen the Coast Guard community and service by being there for members and their families, where and when they need it the most.” Also on the website is the note that the foundation is $300,000 short of their 2022 fund raising goal. So, in the spirit of sailors helping sailors and standing by those who watch over us at sea, this is a great time to make a generous donation to the Coast Guard Foundation. (The photo above was taken in Hampton, VA during a live CG rescue demonstration for the participants of the 2022 Salty Dawg Caribbean Rally to Antigua and the Bahamas.)
You can learn all about the foundation and make your donations here.
