Deadliest Sea: The Untold Story Behind the Greatest Rescue in Coast Guard History

Kalee Thompson's highly detailed and extremely well-researched account of the sinking of the Alaska Ranger fishing boat, and the attempt to rescue its 47 crew by the Coast Guard is so riveting you will ignore other duties and keep turning the pages until the end. From the very first sentence, the reader is thrust into the tension of this unfolding drama. Because of her extensive research, the author is able to take the reader through the sinking and rescue with moment by moment detail through the eyes of the crew of the Alaska Ranger and the many Coast Guard men and women employed in the rescue effort. As Thompson states in the "notes" at the end of the book, "This book is a work of nonfiction". So detailed is the account that one needs to remind oneself of this. Surely this detail and the masterful writing that tells the story are among the strengths of the book, but there is another great strenth: the story is a very human story told through the eyes of those who experienced it. We learn from the author who the key players in the story are, the path that brought them together on the Alaska Ranger that fateful day (or on the Coast Guard Ship, helicopters and plane), and their thoughts and actions throughout this ordeal. The story is complex. As the Ranger is sinking, the story of multiple rescue efforts simultaneous unfolding is told in a coherent and compelling way. How long can the men survive in the 32 degree water? Will rescue ships, planes and helicopters that are hundreds of miles away arrive in time? How do you rescue 47 persons with limited space aboard a helicopter and land so very far away? Will fuel run out? All this is of course happening in the dark in gale force winds with intermittent snow squalls. You get the picture. It is a remarkable story told remarkably well by Kalee Thompson. Read it.

Being a marine engineer/shipbuilding for 40 years I'm enthralled with all things Ships and USCG. I found this book to be spot on and very well done. Kaylee is a true story teller. It's nice to see s technical non-fiction writer showing her talents enabling me to immerse myself in this story.

This story is incredible. The author does a great job of emerging the reader into the lives and thoughts of the fishermen and the Coast Guard rescuers. I loved the details.

Superbly written and fast moving. Shows the heroism of the coast guard team, the dangerous life of those in the fishing industry, and the often tragic balance between commercial greed and safety regulations.

Very engaging true story. Learned a lot about artic fishery methods and problrms. Crowed and dangerous jobs on the below decks processing floor. The northern Pacific and southern attic ocean are unforgiving during all season s

I have a wobbly kitchen table. Well, actually, I HAD a wobbly table. This book is just the right thickness to correct moderate to severe wobbliness in kitchen tables. I highly recommend.

Had already purchased as gift. Had to return as not needed

This is a really good book. It opened my eyes on the dangers of commercial fishing in the bearing sea, boat owners, regulations, and safety of everyone on the boats. To think that the ole mightily dollar takes precedence over peoples lives is beyond me. I think that people who want to go fishing on these boats need to have their eyes open more, take some real safety classes, really practice getting in the survival suits in stressful situations, and getting in a life boat in some rough water. I don't know how long that takes, weeks worth of training, but I believe it is needed before getting on a boat heading out to the sea, any sea or rough water. The Coast Guard is awesome in my opinion, risking their lives to save yours. They have families too. I think the owners of these boats should be held accountable for the employees on their boats, that they make it mandatory for the employees go thru extensive training for survival if some thing should happen. And have proof that their boat is safe, the employees have been thoroughly trained, and pass inspection. Or they can't go out!

Need to hear it again because there is so much information and it is so interesting

Being involved in SAR myself I could picture the whole thing. would make a great film. Hope someone takes it up. Well done Kalee.

Good story. Well researched

Great book. Very interesting to read about the coordination and logistics of search and rescue services.

A good book for anyone who is interested in ocean rescue.