In a ceremony at the Coast Guard boathouse in Menemsha Friday morning, senior chief Justin Logval moved up to master chief petty officer — the highest rank for an enlisted member in the U.S. Coast Guard.
The sea was rough on the night of Dec. 17, when David McConky went out in the Menemsha Coast Guard 41-foot utility boat and tried to rescue a fishing boat presumed sunk south of Noman's Land. Waves off Gay Head were anywhere from 10 to 15 feet high, and he had to turn back.
Fortunately a Coast Guard helicopter rescued the three men who were already ashore on the deserted island.
A Tuesday in February in Menemsha starts like most of the Island — serene. But more so.