Another Coast Guard Surfman ready and able to save lives due to training, focus and professionalism
BMCM Scott Lowry, Surfman #256 (L) with son BM2 Joey Lowry, now Surfman #490
BM2 Joey Lowry, Surfman #490 is congratulated by his fellow Coast Guardsmen after receiving his certificate of Surfman.
Submitted by BOSN3 Robert Ornelas, Commanding Officer Motor Lifeboat Station Yaquina Bay
On February 28th 2014, BM2 Augusta “Joey” Lowry received his designation of SURFMAN during a pinning ceremony aboard the unit. He has been logged into the Registry of Surfman as #490. The designation is the highest qualification an enlisted person can earn in the small boat community, and goes to those Coast Guardsmen who have learned how to handle a small boat in the most extreme weather conditions. Surfmen are a rarity in the Coast Guard, there are about 180 Surfman among the more than 42,000+ active duty Coast Guardsmen, and the remote locations of the surf stations, the six Surfmen at Station Yaquina Bay are a rare commodity for the people who live and vacation in the area. There are 20 surf stations scattered within the Coast Guard’s nearly 200 small boat stations. Of the 20, seven are located along the Oregon Coast.
A third generation Lifeboatman, BM2 Lowry was pinned by his father BMCM Scott Lowry (Surfman #256). His grandfather, Mark Lowry (Surfman #097) was designated as a Surfman at Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor, Westport WA in 1966.
