About our silver fin symbology

  The design of the Retired Swimmer or “Silver Fin’ crest was inspired by the Coast Guard Helicopter RS wings we wore on our uniforms. 

The fins on the Silver Fin crest are inverted, to symbolize the completion of active duty, akin to saying, "I've hung up my fins." 

The stark skull with red bandanna represents the hardships and losses faced in the line of duty, often left unspoken but shared in the camaraderie among this community. Many of this cadre carry the loss of a brother, as well as visible and non-visible injuries as a testament to their dedicated service. Despite these challenges, most rescue swimmers accepted this as part of the job willingly embraced.

Finally, the wreath behind the wings and encircling the skull signifies the completion of a demanding career. 

  The silver fin logo was sketched out on a napkin after one of the first meetings of two of our original board members. After deciding on the name for our non-profit, we knew representing a symbolic fin on the logo would be necessary, but how to do that? The fin was simple enough, but silver? Ag. Of course; simple, and once you figure it out, you won’t forget it. (The periodic symbol for silver is Ag, from the Latin word argentum, which means silver.)

Also present is the motto we lived by, ‘So Others May Live’, as well as our call to readiness, ‘Semper Paratus’, Always Ready.

The Roman numeral for ‘1984’, the year Congress mandated our program as a result of the disastrous loss of the Marine Electric and her crew, February 12th 1983, 30 miles off the Virginia coast.