It’s not Everyday that you Save Someone’s Life.

“I saved someone’s life. I was crying when I thought about what I had just done.”

Petty Officer 3rd Class Tamar Cohen serves as a Naval Control Supervisor in the Ashdod Naval Base. She was drafted to the IDF in November, 2021. Like most soldiers, she came in not knowing what the next few years of her life would look like.

This past weekend, PO3 Tamar was in charge of guarding the Herzliya-Tel Aviv maritime area. “On the weekends, there are many vessels at sea, including many civilian on private ships. It was a very busy day…but I suddenly noticed a target that didn’t resemble a vessel. Something didn’t make sense to me and I had to figure out what was happening.”

“I immediately informed the shift manager, and we tried to figure out the situation. I realized that it was most likely an upside down vessel and paged the Marine Police right away. Later, I thought I saw someone drowning and reported a drowning person,” she recalls.

PO3 Tamar’s report turned out to be true and a rescue operation began. By the end of the operation, the person was rescued and safely returned to their family.

“This is the reason I drafted. I wanted to protect the State of Israel and its civilians. Approximately a month ago, I was offered to become a shift manager. I was extremely excited and accepted the offer right away. I am now in charge of the security of the maritime borders, which are the country’s eyes at sea.”

“Because of my soldiers, Israeli civilians are protected. Thanks to them people can go to the ocean all year, at all times. I lived here for 18 years and others were protecting me and my family. Now it’s my responsibility to maintain the security in Israel, and I feel privileged to be in my role to accomplish that.” 

The Naval Control Array soldiers play an active and important role in defending Israel’s maritime borders. Whether it’s for routine or in times of emergency, they are on guard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. PO3 Tamar Cohen is just one of many that keep our country safe.