State Park Ranger

Department of Parks and Recreation

3/10/1981

Special Act Award (Gold)

On March 10, 1981, State Park Ranger Joseph P. Collins rescued a fisherman who fell from the rocks into extremely heavy surf near West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. After being flagged down by the fisherman’s wife, Ranger Collins realized the immediate danger to the victim; he quickly grabbed a rescue tube from his vehicle and stripped down to work pants. After diving into the extremely cold water, he untangled the victim from his fishing line and moved him up the coast and away from the dangerous rocks. Ranger Collins swam approximately 500 yards to take the victim to a safe landing area. He was in the icy water for forty minutes.