Customer Reviews

Lifeboat Sailors: Disasters, rescues, and the Perilous Future of the Coast Guard's Small Boat Stations

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I am not much of a reader of books. This is one that I could not put down though. The stories will put you right in the drivers seat with these brave men and women. You will be crashing through 15 to 20 foot breaking surf right along with them. Those of you who have been to a small boat unit, will smile and say "I have been there, done that". For those of you who may never have new that small boat stations do exist. This book will give you a new apprieciation for what these young men and women do at a small boat station. Risking their lives everyday to help others. I know because I live it everyday, and would give it up for nothing! Thanks again Dennis. Chris Sparkman, Surfman United States Coast Guard.

Dennis Noble has really opened up the door to the little known life behind the U.S. Coast Guards small boat units. Being a civilian and having been raised around the Great Lakes, I have always held a great appreciation for the Coast Guard small boat units. After reading Mr. Noble's work, my appreciation has heightened. If only the public was only more aware of the sacrafices these young men and women give to protect our nations waterways that go unnoticed on a daily basis. Lifeboat Sailors is definitely a great read.

Although the book was a nice, easy read, I was involved to the point where I couldn't put it down and wanted to know more about the Coast Guard. These men and women of the small lifeboat stations are true heroes. Thanks to Dennis Noble for telling their history and story. I was inspired so much by the desire to become a part of such an amazing tradition and responsibility that I visited my Coast Guard recruiter to join.

This is the only work available that gives such a personalized and accurate account of life at modern day USCG lifeboat stations. It provides a rare and insightful glimpse at the lives of these courageous people, their day to day challenges, and the rescues they perform. You will learn something here about who they are as individuals, the feelings of elation experienced after a difficult rescue, and the sorrow caused by the loss of comrades in the line of duty. This is a book about ordinary people rising to meet the extraordinary challenges of a dangerous and unforgiving environment. Sadly, it is apparent from reading this book that they are now facing an even more ominous challenge, that of preserving their age-old traditions in spite of an increasingly out of touch bureaucracy. This is a singular work, in a short space it provides as much insight on its subject as one can get without actually living it. Highly Recommended.

While this slender volume contains many exciting adventures that make great reading, the most fascinating aspect of this important book is the author's unflinching critisizm of the Coast Guard officer corps and the indifference (if not outright hostily) they often effect toward the small boat stations of thier own service.

Dr. Noble gives an account of a Coast Guard officer referring to small boat station personnel as "Neanderthals". I don't doubt it at all. Having done time in the "black shoe" Coast Guard on cutters, I was a first hand witness to what Dr. Noble mentions: the CG officer corps places so much emphasis on the seagoing Guard they forget and ignore the small boat stations.

I hope this book will serve as a wake-up call for those at HQ. I'm certain it will "frost" a lot of behinds. But its high time they smell the coffee and make necessary changes before the CG has it alter its nickname from "Lifesavers" to "Life-losers."

Every member of Congress and the Senate should read this book to get a full understanding of the imortance of Coast Guard small boat stations and why they can no longer continue to remain undermanned, underfunded, and overworked.

This is an important book told in authentic and entertaining fashion. Dennis Noble is a talented and important American author. Within every segment of this book is a piece of history is cast. This is a first hand telling of the plight of the Coast Guard - with the care of one who knows his words will weigh heavily on the coasties out there in the waves.

I was stationed at Station Willapa Bay , Washington from 1974 to 1977. The first time out on a 44ft MLB we had 25ft breakers to play with. What a ride. Spent time at the MLB School at Cape Disappoinment. Had the time of my life with the small boats.

Great book. A must read if you what to know about the Coast Guard search and rescue. All of Dennis books are great..........

I was very impressed at this very well written book. Mr. Noble is retired from the Coast Guard and is very knowledgeable about the traditions and history of the finest life saving service in the world.

Mr. Noble is able to show both sides, good and bad, of the Coast Guard small boat stations.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Coast Guard history as well as someone wanting to join the Coast Guard.

This is a very well researched, fast paced look at the world of U.S. Coast Guard smallboat stations. These are the folks who come to the aid of mariners in distress, wherever and whenever called. Since it is virtually the only book on the subject I have nothing but praise for it. Having served at a smallboat station in Fla I agree with Senior Chief Noble's assertion that Coasties at stations do have an inferiority complex, compared to those afloat. It's part of the CG psyche and probably will be for quite awhile.This is a great book with plenty of spine tingling stories about those who "have to go out, but don't have to come back." Check it out. I also recommend "Sea of Grass" by Charles Fuss about the USCG war on drugs on the high seas, and "The Coast Guard at War" by Alex Larzelere about the USCG's role in Vietnam.

Although I have yet to read this book, the reviews sound true to life. I was a USCG Lifeboat crew member in 1961-62, stationed at Sullivan's Island Lifeboat Station, Sullivan's Island, SC. The Coast Guard has turned that station over to the US Park Service. I was there on a visit in 2000, and it broke my heart to see the "old girl" relegated to living quarters for Park Service personnel. Something MUST be done to preserve the remaining Coast Guard Lifeboat stations.