As the waters of Alaska see increasing use due to thinning ice, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced plans to conduct Arctic charting operations from Unimark Pass in the Aleutian Islands through the Bering Strait into the Chukchi Sea during 2015. Working with the Coast Guard to collect hydrographic data, the organization […]
Medical Rescue in Juneau
In this work from the U.S. Coast Guard Art Program 2014 Collection, “Medical Rescue in Juneau‚” a Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew prepares the victim of a nearly fatal fall for evacuation from St. James Bay to Juneau where he will be transferred to a nearby hospital for treatment. In an […]
Beaufort Wind Force Scale: A Mariner’s T
The Beaufort Wind Force scale provides mariners with a useful tool for estimating both wind speed and anticipated sea state in universally understood terms. In the lyrics of Billy Joel’s Storm we hear of the Beaufort Scale, “We’ve got a low pressure system and a northeast breeze. We’ve got a falling barometer and rising seas. […]
Draft of Alaska Deep-Draft Arctic Port S...
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and US Army Corps of Engineers have released their draft report covering the first year of a three year study to enhance the deep-draft port system of Arctic Alaska. Port facilities in the north are minimal and range from simple gravel landings to extensive bulk mineral export […]
Handy Booklet Navigational Charts Availa...
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has developed and released a navigational tool aimed at the recreational boater. Known as BookletCharts, these nautical charts available for download and printing at home. Thousands of area charts from across the United States are available and Alaskan charts are well represented in the initiative. BookletCharts come as […]
Guidelines for Treating Cold Water Near ...
It is important to aggressively treat victims of drowning, especially in cold waters. Research and experience shows cold water has a positive effect on odds of potential survival in a submersion incident. Having guidelines for treating cold water near drowning are vital to improving marine safety. Research and practical experience shows that rescuers shouldn’t give […]