State Park Attendant

Department of Parks and Recreation

6/8/1963

Special Act Award (Gold)

On June 8, 1963, State Park Attendant Charles Potthast was on boat patrol at the Salton Sea State Park with a Park Aid and a Fish and Game Warden when they saw a small boat containing three people riding low in the choppy sea. The small boat swamped and it was immediately obvious that the occupants were non-swimmers. Two of the victims, a father and son, clutched each other frantically, screaming for help, submerging with each wave. Mr. Potthast quickly guided the patrol boat to the scene and without regard for his own safety, dove into the water to render assistance. He first secured a floating cushion and thrust it into the hands of the separate victim, then he swam to the struggling pair. After several tries, and with great danger to himself, he succeeded in separating the two, helping them first to the cushions and then into the boats that had arrived on the scene. Mr. Potthast, who is not a trained lifeguard, remained in the water, passed a tow-line through the bow of the swamped boat and only then allowed himself to be taken aboard the patrol boat.