Coast Guard Member Becomes Fourth Active Female Surfman

SAUSALITO, CA – Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Krystyna Duffy will become the fourth active female surfman in the service during a ceremony at Coast Guard Station Golden Gate in Sausalito Friday.

The surfman designation is the highest rank in Coast Guard small boat operation and allows rescue boat coxswains to operate in extreme weather and sea conditions.

Duffy, 31, will be qualified to take a 47-foot motor lifeboat out in 20-foot breaking surf with 30-foot seas and 50-knot winds that reach the boat's operational limits.

Duffy said her promotion to surfman has been her goal for more than a decade.

"Dreams don't care about gender," Duffy said. "If you want something badly enough, and you're willing to fight for it, you can do it."

Chief Warrant Officer Beth Slade, the commanding officer of Station Golden Gate and the first woman to ever earn the surfman qualification for the 47-foot lifeboat will present Duffy's award.

The surfman title dates back more than 200 years to the U.S. Life-Saving Service.

Duffy said Slade has been her mentor for years and receiving the award from Slade makes her achievement amazing.

"I emailed her years ago before I even knew her and asked for advice on becoming a surfman," Duffy said. "She told me no matter what, never give up. She was the one who blazed the trail for the rest of us to follow."

The presentation ceremony is at 9 a.m. Friday at Coast Guard Station Golden Gate at 435 Murray Circle in Sausalito.

By Bay City News Service

Photo: Petty Officer 1st Class Krystyna Duffy, a boatswain's mate assigned to Coast Guard Station Golden Gate in San Francisco, drives a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat near the Golden Gate Bridge, Feb. 8, 2018. In March, Duffy became the fourth active female surfman in the Coast Guard, earning the highest rank in Coast Guard boat operation and a title which dates back more than 200 years to the U.S. Life-Saving Service. Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sarah Wilson