Ep 10. In The Thick of It

In The Thick of It is the season three finale of the documentary series Coast Guard Alaska, which follows the daily operations and rescue missions of the US Coast Guard stationed in the frigid waters of Alaska. The episode documents the intense rescue operations undertaken by the brave and skilled Coast Guard personnel when a major storm hits Alaska's southern coast.

The episode opens with the Coast Guard receiving a distress call from a fishing vessel that has lost propulsion due to a mechanical failure. The crew is stranded in the treacherous waters and at risk of capsizing or running aground. The Coast Guard team, comprising of the senior-most officers and the newest enlistees, launches a rescue mission by helicopter. The team needs to navigate through the rain and wind to drop a rescue swimmer into the water to assess the situation. The rescue swimmer jumps from the helicopter, and despite the battering winds and rough waves, manages to make it to the vessel.

The rescue swimmer works quickly to assess the situation and coordinate with the helicopter crew for the rescue. The rescue swimmer determines that the vessel is sinking, and the team needs to evacuate the crew immediately. The rescue team lowers a basket for the crew to board, and the rescue swimmer manages to escort them to safety one by one. The rescue is treacherous, and every second counts as the waves and wind push the basket and the crew around. However, the team manages to evacuate all of them safely, and the Coast Guard crew breathes a sigh of relief as they bring the rescued crew to the nearest port.

However, the danger is far from over as the storm continues to rage on. The Coast Guard receives another distress call from a small boat whose crew has gone missing in the storm. The boat is suspected to have capsized, and the crew is lost in cold, violent waters. The Coast Guard team launches another rescue mission, this time with a rescue swimmer and diver. The team faces an even more significant challenge this time as the boat is missing a tracking beacon, and the crew's last known location is murky. The team needs to rely on their instincts and expertise to scour the area. They work through the night, battling waves and darkness, searching for any signs of the missing crew.

The Coast Guard team continues the search and rescue mission, using their specialized equipment and skills to navigate the dangerous conditions. They search tirelessly, not giving up hope despite the adverse circumstances, and stay on course until they finally locate the missing crew. The rescue is complicated and challenging, requiring the Coast Guard team to work together to hoist the crew out of the water in darkness and rough weather. However, the team succeeds, and when the helicopter crew brings them to safety, the rescue swimmer can confirm that all crew members are alive and safe.

In the final moments of the episode, the Coast Guard personnel recount the harrowing events of the day and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of their team. They reflect on the risks and challenges they faced and express their gratitude for the opportunity to serve their country and save lives. The Coast Guard team celebrates their successes, but also remembers those who have lost their lives in service of their country, as well as the countless others who continue to serve to protect their communities and ensure their safety.

In The Thick of It is a gripping and intense finale to Coast Guard Alaska's third season, showcasing the bravery, skill, and dedication of the United States Coast Guard personnel stationed in Alaska. The episode highlights the risks and challenges they face every day, and how they work tirelessly to ensure the safety of their communities in some of the harshest and most dangerous conditions imaginable. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the bravery and sacrifice required of those serving in the Coast Guard and their mission to guard the coasts and save lives.