https://rescueatsea.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2007-AFRAS-Summer-News-final.pdf

https://professionalmariner.com/association-for-rescue-at-sea-to-recognize-heroism/

I was a 1st Class at the time of the rescue Boatswain’s Mate First Class David Ramsey of the U.S. Coast Guard received the prestigious Gold Medal from the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) on October 2, 2007. He was honored for his heroic actions and leadership as heavy weather coxswain on January 15, 2006, saving three lives from the fishing vessel Katherine M in 25-foot seas on the Columbia River Bar in Oregon. [1, 2, 3]

Rescue Details

• Date: January 15, 2006
• Location: Columbia River Bar, Oregon
• Vessel Involved: Fishing Vessel Katherine M
• Lives Saved: 3 crew members
• Conditions: Treacherous 25-foot seas
• Award: 2006 AFRAS Gold Medal (presented in Washington, D.C. in October 2007) [1, 2, 3]