COAST GUARD - Alaskan Nights
SKU 2025131
$175.00
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COAST GUARD - Alaskan Nights
Product Details
Alaskan Nights
The U.S. Coast Guard faces immense dangers during life-saving missions in the Bering Sea. The primary threat is the unforgiving environment itself. The region is notorious for its severe weather, including frigid temperatures, powerful winds, and a high risk of hypothermia for anyone in the water. For Coast Guard crews, these conditions make rescue operations incredibly difficult and dangerous. For instance, in the case of the fishing vessel Alaska Ranger, Coast Guard rescuers faced gale-force winds and freezing temperatures to save 42 crew members. Rescue swimmers, in particular, face the added risk of being battered by waves and rotor wash from their helicopter, and they must be able to pull unresponsive, hypothermic individuals from the water. Even the most highly trained professionals can suffer broken bones or other serious injuries from being slammed into the side of a rocking vessel by the powerful seas. The combination of freezing water, strong winds, and powerful waves creates an exceptionally hazardous situation for both the rescuers and the people they are trying to save.
The swells in the Bering Sea are notoriously treacherous due to a combination of factors. The sea is relatively shallow, with an average depth of around 200 feet, which leads to shorter but more powerful waves. Unlike the long, rolling swells of the deep ocean, the Bering Sea's waves are steeper and can break more forcefully. The area is also subject to intense storm systems and powerful winds that can generate waves of 10 to 20 feet or more. These winds, coupled with the shallow depths, can create a chaotic sea state with waves coming from multiple directions, making it difficult for vessels to navigate and for rescue crews to approach a distressed ship. The frequent presence of sea ice further complicates matters, as it can damage vessels and create additional obstacles for rescue efforts. These conditions have led to numerous shipwrecks and are a constant challenge for anyone who works or travels on these waters.
For a look inside a U.S. Coast Guard operation, this video shows how they handle a challenging rescue in rough waters.
- 18x27" Giclee' print
- Image size: 12x23"
- Signed and numbered by the artist
- Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity
- Ships carefully in a tube
*Please allow up two weeks prior to shipping
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