ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Coast Guard presented the Achievement Medal to five crewmembers from Coast Guard Station Annapolis Friday at the Fleet Reserve Club in Annapolis, for saving the life of three boaters in 2014.
Petty Officers 2nd Class Bradley Bishop, Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew C. Vardakis, Petty Officer 3rd Class Jacob S. Wieduwilt, former Seaman Kimberly Fleshman, and Fireman Conor M. Cantwell were the crewmembers that responded to the scene of a boating accident on the Severn River near Annapolis, July 4. While assisting with a separate case, crewmembers witnessed the accident that left three people in need of medical attention. Wiedueilt, the coxswain aboard the 45-foot Response boat – Medium, navigated through the congested waterway in reduced visibility where spectators had gathered aboard approximately 600 boats to watch the Independence Day fireworks display.
Once on scene, Bishop and Vardakis assessed the situation and began prioritizing the treatment of the injured passengers. Bishop stabilized and applied direct pressure to the head laceration of a passenger he assessed as potentially having a life-threatening injury.
Bishop and Vardakis also cared for a boater who suffered leg lacerations and another who suffering from shock.
The crew took the damaged boat in side tow and transferring the injured to a local pier and to awaiting EMS personnel.
“The crew of Station Annapolis prepares themselves everyday for emergent situations,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Corbin Ross, officer in charge of Coast Guard Station Annapolis. “The time they have spent practicing both in the classroom as well as out on the water made them successful in the rescue of the boaters.”
The Coast Guard Achievement Medal is awarded to people who distinguish themselves for professional and/or leadership achievement in a combat or non-combat situation based on sustained performance or specific achievement of a superlative nature.
The original press release is available by following this link: http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2199442/