ILWACO — U.S. Coast Guard BM2 Sergio B. Del Cuadro stood stoically before family and fellow crew as the badge was passed from Surfman to Surfman before him.

Moments later, after recounting a rigorous list of requirements and experiences met by Del Cuadro over a four-year journey to reach the ceremony, BMC Andrew Sadler, Surfman No. 485, pinned the iconic badge— comprised of a lifebuoy crossed by two oars— on Del Cuadro’s chest, officially designating him as Surfman No. 614, joining an elite class coxswains authorized to operate 47-foot motor lifeboats in heavy surf.

Coast to coast

The Coast Guard surfman qualification process is extensive and extremely demanding, with only about 10 certified each year, according to the Coast Guard. This program is intended to attract, guide and develop surfmen trainees, taking average of four years of training to become a qualified surfman.

Del Cuadro began his Coast Guard career in Humboldt Bay, California, before going to Station Chatham (in Chatham, Massachusetts) from 2019 to 2022, where he was certified on the 42-foot near shore lifeboat.

Later in 2022, Del Quadro came to Station Cape Disappointment, where he since logged nearly 800 underway hours, including 700 on the 47-foot lifeboat.

Del Cuadro completed all three courses at the National Motor Lifeboat School, including most recently the Surfman Course, experiencing over 110 hours in the surf during a four-week window.

Del Cuadro was commended on two recent notable SAR (search and rescue) cases, including a heavy-weather case where he towed the 70-foot fishing vessel F/V Cassandra Ann in 14-foot seas and a steep ebb chop in December 2024. The other case involved the vessel F/V Stormy B, where he towed the vessel in 14-foot seas to Astoria against seven knots of river current ‘undoubtedly saved lives and property,’ said BOSN Jason McCommons, Surfman No. 420, Commanding Officer of Station Cape Disappointment.