Watch Coast Guard Alaska
- TV-G
- 2011
- 4 Seasons
-
8.3 (74)
Coast Guard Alaska is a documentary series featured on the Weather Channel that follows the brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard in their daily battle to maintain law and order in the tumultuous waters of Alaska. The show was narrated by Caleb Thomas and premiered on November 9, 2011.
Alaska is known for its rugged coastline and unpredictable weather. The series focuses on the daily lives of the Coast Guard men and women stationed in Kodiak, Alaska, one of the most hazardous and remote areas of the world. The show gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of their duties, from search and rescue missions to law enforcement and marine safety.
Each episode of the show documents the officers handling various types of emergencies, including rescuing people stranded in freezing water or on broken boats, responding to strong waves and heavy winds from intense storms, and enforcing rules and regulations that keep shipping lanes clear and protected.
The Coast Guard in Alaska is responsible for more than 47,000 miles of coastline and over a million square miles of water. The officers' duties involve protecting the marine ecosystem, preventing smuggling and other illegal activities, and ensuring public safety. The show illustrates the daily risks and dangers that come with being a Coast Guard in one of the most dangerous and isolated areas of the world.
What sets the show apart is that it is not dramatized, scripted, or acted, but a real-life depiction of what happens on the job. The show's focus is mainly on the Kodiak air station, which is home to a fleet of helicopters, equipped with rescue swimmers, paramedics, and pilots, who are always on-call for emergencies. Through the cameras' lens, viewers get to witness the process of receiving calls and dispatching teams for rescue operations. The officers work as a team to locate people in distress, transport them to safety, and provide medical assistance in extreme conditions, often working in darkness or heavy storms.
In addition to the Coast Guard Air Station, the show also features the work of the Station Kodiak cutters, a fleet of boats that patrol the Alaska coast. The cutters' officers are responsible for enforcing federal and state laws on boats, such as fishing restrictions, licensing, and pollution prevention.
The show also highlights the officers' lifestyle outside of their duties, showcasing how they cope with the challenges of living so far away from their loved ones, and the community's high reliance on the Coast Guard for safety. The officers have families, pets, and hobbies that they pursue, which provide a welcome respite from their dangerous jobs.
Another unique aspect of the show is the wildlife that officers encounter during their patrols, including whales, seals, bears, and eagles. The cameras capture breathtaking aerial shots of Alaska's glaciers and mountains, and the natural beauty of the landscape. The landscapes serve as a stunning backdrop for the officers' daily responsibilities while maintaining a delicate balance with the environment.
In conclusion, Coast Guard Alaska offered an authentic, in-the-moment portrayal of the brave men and women who serve in Alaska's Coast Guard, and the difficult tasks they undertake daily. The show offers viewers a glimpse into a part of the country that few outsiders get to see, and the importance of the Coast Guard's role in the community. The show premiered its third and final season on April 9, 2014, leaving behind a legacy of authentic, real-life drama that continued to captivate its audience until the very end.
Coast Guard Alaska is a series that ran for 4 seasons (42 episodes) between November 9, 2011 and on Weather Channel