Deadly Disrepair: The Loss of FV Alaska Ranger

The Factory Trawler Alaska Ranger was lost on Sunday March 23, 2008 while transiting the Bering Sea. Owned by Fishing Company of Alaska and based out of Seattle. This processing vessel's fate is a story of negligence, chaos and heroic perseverance.
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▶REFERENCES, SOURCES & FEATURED MEDIA: pastebin.com/zQzhaukd
*Views presented are my own and the appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), NTSB & any other entities' visual information does not imply nor constitute their endorsement.
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▶Timestamps:
00:00 Mayday Mayday Mayday!
01:18 Major Conversion & History of FV Alaska Ranger
06:28 What Sets Factory Trawlers Apart (Fish Processing Vessels)?
10:17 The Stern of the Alaska Ranger
14:05 Amendment 80 Ramifications
15:16 Repair History & USCG Factory Trawler Exemptions
19:17 Dutch Harbor Friday, March 21 2008
19:56 Alaska Ranger Crew - FCA, Anyo, NOAA
23:09 Fishing Company of Alaska Vessels & Officers
25:13 Anyo Fisheries - Fishmaster & Crew
25:45 NOAA Fisheries Observers
26:41 Emergency Equipment On Board Alaska Ranger
28:08 Alaska Ranger Gets Underway Toward Petrel Bank
30:57 Suddenly Taking on Water
35:11 First Mayday is Broadcast - Received by USCG Kodiak
39:41 US Coast Guard Launches Rescue Aircraft
48:53 Alaska Warrior Joins USCG in Massive Rescue Effort
52:31 Alaska Spirit, Victory & Juris Join in Search
53:46 Aftermath & Joint NTSB-USCG Investigation
1:06:10 NTSB Findings & Recommendations - USCG in Closing
1:13:17 In Memoriam...
1:13:32 Closing Thanks
Your Safety Matters. -Sam
#Maritime #Workplace #YourSafetyMatters

[@BrickImmortar]

YOUR Safety Matters. -Sam www.patreon.com/BrickImmortar Supporters on Patreon get Ad-Free, Early Access AND Podcast Versions of Every New Video Releasing!

[@diviningrod2671]

Curious questions i noticed in the ranger pictures prior to remodel had top tilted forward windows ( not sure proper term ) as opposed to back tilted ( like on a car) from a short stint lobster fishing in California., it appeared to be a newer r invention. At first i was puzzed why the top tilted out was the newer design. Until noticed on our car style slooped window wouldn't self shed water .the water being too heavy to be pushed up and out of the way .and the top tilted forward would have no problem shedding water .ie the weight of the water and the forward tilt catching the wind and forcing it down . Small detail ,but am i off base ,any history about this? Great channel Bever forget the El FARO ! theres a maritime story in the book deep survival, about a barge and the crew being stranded in the life boat .might make a great vidoe Books an incredible read about the human mind and survival.

[@guyk2260]

Awesome again Sam thank you

[@0p161]

The Quality of this video and narration are excellent among the best on youtube, thanks for the work you do.

[@evryhndlestakn]

Outstanding production. Another excellent episode.

[@46bovine]

Your discussions about safety are great. Thank you.

[@chuckwagn7866]

Excellent video BrickImmorter. I was the Navigator on the C130 for this case. Everything on this video was as accurate as i remember. The most intense search and rescue ive ever been apart of. I regret that we could not save them all, but given the water temp and weather, it was amazing that 42 were rescued. Read the book , The Deadliest Sea. It gets into more detail of this case with interviews of crewmembers and their families. Thank You.

[@markp44288]

Yeah it sucks you couldn't save them all, but you and the rest of the USCG who were part of this KICKED ASS. As a proud American I say thank you.

[@matthewlarson738]

Thank you for your service. I cannot imagine operating at any of the aircraft crew positions (both heli and C130) under those circumstances.

[@eaglerare1273]

Thank you chuckwagn7866. You and ur crew kicked ass

[@katherinekeller4149]

Thank you for all you have done to save lives. I have a friend who was a USAF C-130 pilot and he has immense respect for the SAR work done by the USCG and the bravery regularly on display by USCG aircrews.

[@Curt_Sampson]

As the rescue went on during this video I became more and more impressed by the level of co-ordination the rescuers managed to maintain in such confusing conditions. I suspect that there are a lot of Coast Guard personnel and roles not directly mentioned in this video that helped to make that happen. (And make the rescue, according to the NTSB, "timely and effective." A bit of understatement, that!)

[@TaraTheFox]

I am always in complete awe over what the coast guard rescuers can pull off. Despite the mistake with pulling up the basket, you described what seemed like multiple massively complicated tasks all being done at the same time, like an elaborate dance. So impressive. Extra bonus points to the swimmer.

[@ripwednesdayadams]

That “mistake” was a pretty big fuck up though- someone lost their life. I know there was a lot going on, but you would think waiting for the signal to lift the basket would be one of the most important steps. I can’t imagine how terrifying it must have been for the person who fell 60 feet into 20ft waves.

[@patrickordos425]

@@ripwednesdayadamsit didn't really sound like they were conscious

[@galloglaigh8198]

​@@ripwednesdayadams This was likely not lost on the aircrew. They are trained vigorously to operate in these conditions but they are human at the end of the day. And in their line of work little mistakes can cause big problems. This is something they're aware of and train on. It's easy in hindsight to judge and point out their mistakes but look at it from their perspective. It was a mission where the time and weather was not on their side. Windy, dark, below freezing and rough seas. The crewman operating the hoist could likely barely see anything from his position. A misinterpreted visual signal might seem obvious in hindsight but in the moment with everything going on things might have looked differently. They were handed an awful situation and did their best. But, unfortunately, sometimes their best is just not enough. Furthermore, every instance of a SAR mission is documented with a crew debrief and a timeline of events. When a mistake is noticed it is usually followed by a revision of procedures to find a potential point of failure and new procedures are implemented in future training. First responders and rescue teams deal with these situations a lot. An awful situation, they try their best but sometimes their best doesn't cut it. And they have to live with that. That's why a lot of these guys regularly suffer from PTSD.

[@moosecat]

@@ripwednesdayadams Nearly 35 years ago, I had the pleasure of running an evac drill with a Coast Guard helicopter. This was in Jamaica Bay (NY) in May, during the middle of the day, in relatively calm seas. I cannot imagine what it would be like to do this in Alaska, in winter, during the time before sunrise, while dealing with 20 foot seas AND having the helo crew being in a race against time (and fuel consumption) to get back to their cutter before they also ended up in the water. Was it a mistake? Oh, yeah...but given the conditions, I'm willing to give them some slack.

[@DriveLaken]

Gargantuan extra points given to the swimmer. They left him.

[@harryshuman9637]

All things considered, saving 42 out of 47 isn't bad in such harsh environment. Could have been much, much worse.

[@ravenzyblack]

It’s practically a miracle only 5 people died. Heartbreaking for their families, but nothing like the Edmund Fitzgerald where everyone died.

[@joeg5414]

@@ravenzyblack now I'm going to have that Edmund Fitzgerald song stuck in my head

[@grayhatjen5924]

Yep. These are both fair points. 100% agree.

[@sthede1000]

Yeah it blows me away when they say an airplane has taken off to rescue... from 800 miles away. Scary!

[@Raptor747]

In those conditions, with so little time? I'm amazed they managed to rescue more than a handful. Rescuing almost all of them is astounding.

[@alandpost]

Holy cow the rescue swimmer sounds like a total badass

[@moosecat]

In my experience, they all are major badasses, but in a good way; I think that's part of the prerequisites.

[@buruzn09]

Badassery is absolutely a job requirement.

[@muskyman1018]

Yes, only the best of the best.

[@Kevin_747]

Some of the fittest humans on the planet.

[@bavarianbanshee]

​@@muskyman1018 -of the best, sir!

[@BudStrollinburn]

My Dad was Chief Engineer on the Ranger in 77-78 when it was owned by Offshore Logistics Inc. I was blown away when I watched the first two minutes of this video and realized it was the same vessel. I have several pictures of the Ranger, and one of it nosed up to some rocks on shore to let some crew off to swap some photos of it. I've known about the sinking for years and had no idea it was one of my dad's boats

[@BudStrollinburn]

The M/V Ranger was stationed out of Aberdeen Scotland and operated in the North Sea.

[@BudStrollinburn]

It was actually 1975- 76

[@rl7012]

Those rescue helicopter pilots are amazing. Imagine travelling the hundreds of miles, fuel gets low, rescues are urgently needed, you get as many as you can in the helicopter, taking huge (if calculated) risks including the rescue diver, then you have to drop them off on a vessel bobbing a few miles away on the sea with large vertical structures and you can't land there. Then you have to refuel in the air over the dangerous moving ship and then go back for more survivors. It is just incredible the skill of those pilots. They have the weather, wind, choppy sea against them, far from land, fuel running out, huge pressures, people desperate for rescue, their own rescue swimmer falls back into the water from a dizzying height and they have to keep total concentration and act with utmost professionalism throughout. It is a race against time, the cold, weather conditions, fuel, tiredness, movement of sea currents and many other unforeseens but the pilots have to keep their nerve and fly perfectly, hover perfectly, navigate perfectly, respond perfectly and make the exact right decisions at the right time. They have no margin of error. Hats off to those guys.

[@Nayte08]

The rescue swimmer fell in too? 😮 I must’ve missed that part

[@arkashalethal]

@@Nayte08No it was a member of the Alaska Ranger’s crew that fell from the helicopter’s basket. The Rescue Swimmer of the Dolphin helicopter did get left in the water so the Dolphin could refuel though. Later picked up by the Jayhawk helicopter.

[@SparkAA]

The helicopter crew were simply amazing 🙌its crazy

[@Curt_Sampson]

@@Nayte08 All the stuff going on during that rescue effort was pretty hard to track. Kudos to the folks in the helos, the cutter CIC and back at the base who could keep the rescue organised with everything going on in all that mess. That, along with a lot of forethought (such as basing a rescue helo on St. Paul) contributed to what the NTSB, masters of understatement that they are, declared a "timely and effective" rescue effort.

[@fafnir491]

I love the calm manner with which you impart information. You don’t play for chills or overdramatize what happened. The respect is clear.

[@CosmicLeopardKayla]

Biggest reason I got hooked on this channel.

[@mikem.s.1183]

Me as well. Fantastic, respectful work. 🙏

[@GordonFreeman-sl6pi]

This is so rare from English-speaking media these days, all the over dramatic bullshit and soundtracks.. This is so refreshing and the main reason I subscribed after watching only 1 video.

[@TheHardys01]

From what I can recall, he really only breaks from that once during this video. & It's not until 1 hour & 5 minutes into it, expressing his frustrations.

[@TheUndeadslayer221]

Dude has the voice of narrator.

[@Cas_55]

Brick Immortar is one of those S-tier KZbin channels that you just know will always put out quality.

[@taylormcdaniel603]

This ^ Honestly blows my mind how he isn't at or over 1m subs, meanwhile I've watched multiple sub par cookie cutter brain rot channels blow up

[@WonderDerek]

​@@taylormcdaniel603because people only care about the next fad, unfortunately. This channel is criminally underrated and it's a damn shame he doesn't have multiple millions of followers.

[@mfkrabs9089]

late srry for the noti but just wanted to scream into the void that I just found this channel and this comment alongside the content has given me the boost I needed without realizing it so thank you !!

[@poigmhahon]

I was in Dutch Harbor when this happened, lifelong commercial fisherman but at the time working construction on a new pier. The FCA boats were NEVER well maintained. They were well known for cutting corners and cutting costs....not surprisingly having substandard crews...these boats were rust buckets. It's a testament to the U.S. Coast Guard more lives weren't lost.

[@desdicadoric]

All that welding was ridiculous, if it was a car it would’ve been scrapped

[@Rokaize]

Would you say that most commercial fishing companies take the quality of their vessels and crew seriously?

[@tonysmario817]

it's not right that such vessels are able to operate, putting innocent lives at risk. you can't drive a car in many states without absurd 'safety' certifications...i was once denied a 'safety sticker' in hawaii because of a CRACK in a taillight lens!! so we have the bueracracy for that sort of non sense....but not to REQUIRE utmost safety standards for the most dangerous applications. only in such a sick society are such offenses acceptable.

[@bodybong]

It is ridiculous but they make so much money they can pay their way out, kinda like Boeing ​@@tonysmario817

[@SinclairSound]

What's crazy is they had another ship sink too

[@Ratkill]

US Coast Guard is the GOAT Casually pulling off complex refueling procedures and personnel juggling like its nothing

[@Nassault]

That protocal for refueling the Jayhawk while still airborne is awesome as well. So cool.

[@intorainbowzOG]

As I was listening I was thinking that Jayhawk needs fuel. Then they do a midway refueling. I had no idea that was possible and am so impressed that they can do that.

[@damonfleming2695]

It’s crazy people say the coast guard has it easy or does nothing. They are badasses who do amazing work under the worst conditions.

[@vangelisgru7271]

Coast guard like firemen are the most respected 💯

[@filanfyretracker]

Search and Rescue, firefighters, water police, general marine safety education. Coast Guard does it all. and a fun tidbit they can be transferred from Homeland Security(they used to be treasury which is why sometimes term "revenue cutter" slips out, One job was interception/interdiction of smuggling vessels and still is but not for revenue reasons anymore) to the Navy in time of war.

[@username.1647]

I worked on the Ranger in the early to mid '90s. I knew Rodney, the night engineer mentioned in this video. A very similar incident nearly happened in early 1994, so I can't say that I'm surprised that the Ranger sank. I spent a lot of time on that boat and it's hard to imagine it so deep in the black, freezing water on the ocean floor. I can't imagine the hopelessness and terror that the crew felt as it was going down. God bless the USCG, they are absolute heroes. Oh, and I can confirm that the fishmaster was always the one in charge. This was well known to everyone onboard.

[@desdicadoric]

Interesting to hear from so many directly involved, I can imagine the ‘fish master’ wearing some superhero style costume….

[@hendu7111]

I heard it was called "The Danger Ranger".

[@smknjoe98]

I too worked worked with FCA in April 1994. Maybe even on this trawler if it's the only one they had operating out of Dutch Harbor. I got off after two weeks because it was such a disaster. Did you work on it in April 1994?

[@jamesjustus6568]

This will be a painful one for me to watch. I knew Capt. Pete Jacobsen through his brother Capt. Bill Jacobsen, who I sailed under many times from Ordinary Seaman to Chief Mate on tugs. Pete was the second Jacobsen brother I mourned with Capt. Billy, I was his Mate working up in the Arctic when their brother Carl died in 2000. I know you will do the details of the tragedy justice.

[@katherinekeller4149]

May their memories bless you when you need them most.

[@choppermorgan9946]

I'm sorry for your losses God bless them God bless our family and God bless you and may the wind always be at your back The Morgan family Indiana USA

[@wesr228]

As a former WHEC CIC Watchstander in the Bering, as well as a SAR Controller at a USCG AirSta, I can tell you, this is one of the greatest SAR cases in USCG History. The coordination between the two rotary wing assets as well as keeping Comms with the C-130 and Communicating with the Alaska Warrior is a testament to the training and dedication to duty by the Coasties. Everything had to happen right for these things to happen, and though there was a miscount, the total sum of things going right on this case is truly hard to comprehend. Refueling the HH-60 takes different training than the HH-65. Understanding what leaving the Rescue Swimmer in the water means, that you know you'll come back for them, when in fact it also may as well be a prayer... The 60 being prepositioned at St. Paul. The Munro even launching in 20 foot seas, take on a landing, re-launch, and then land the 65 again. All of the frustrating training, the wondering why we do things, it all came alive in those few hours. This was truly an outstanding display of everything the USCG stands for, and most people have never heard of it. BZ Coasties. BZ.

[@derekst.laurent5768]

Looks like the 60 uses a single point system although I'm unsure of refuelling during flight, and looks like they would have perhaps hot fuelled the 65 with a standard nozzle. Having worked as a got fueller with many aircraft, I don't think people understand how much time it takes to fuel these aircraft and do it safely, let alone while they're running. Amazing response from all sources and would have been far more tragic if those responders including the other fishing vessels had not been on point and willing to risk life and limb to provide response. Company ignorance seems to have been the cause of this incident. I'll say the mates call to the other vessel to be on standby and make calls for him likely saved lives.

[@sdriza]

you nailed it - there were a ton of studs all along the way... so many people necessary to pull off a rescue like that - need so much to go right, and so many different people to execute their function fast and at a high level. Kudos to all involved...​

[@HeimirTomm]

Back in 2009 I think it was, I rode with the F/V Alaska Ocean for close to 7 weeks. I was a technician, installing weighing equipment and software. Originally I was only supposed to ride with the vessel from Seattle to Dutch Harbour, but events dictated that I had to ride with the vessel for the first trip. That thing is a monster. 6 times larger than the Alaska Ranger with 5 times the crew. As an old fisherman from Iceland I was simply appalled of the amount of fish we were pulling every 4 hours. Basically it was 10 tons of fish every hour, 24/7 for 6 weeks (one weeks sailing from Seattle, remember). The one thing that did impress me though was that nothing left the boat but bloody water. EVERY thing was processed. Before we set sail, we had to go through a coast guard inspection. Man, those guys were serious about their job! I smiled at one of them and was nearly thrown off the vessel!

[@lachd2261]

46 out of 47 out of the water within 5 hours, and 42 of them lived. Even with that bad winching mistake, it's an extraordinary performance by the coast guard and other rescuers. The rescue swimmers are incredible.

[@Werepie]

The ability to refuel in-flight from the ship via the rescue hoist is an absolutely wild capability! Amazing work from the coast guard here. Damn shame about the miscount and un-recovered fishmaster though.

[@hakrsakr]

That sort of ingenuity seems normal for the CG. They get little respect or attention but from the outside, appear to be the most competent branch of the military. I went USMC but if I could do it again, might have been a Coastie.

[@james94582]

​@@hakrsakrI agree... Although, not a branch of the military... They are quite remarkable in what they do and what they can make happens and work in the face of tough times...

[@Benji-jj2bg]

@@james94582 how are they not a branch of the military if they were sent over to afganistan during the invasion?? If they are bieng sent to active duty in a warzone wouldnt they be labeled military?

[@uzlonewolf]

@@james94582 Actually they are one of the 6 branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

[@waynehersel3965]

I worked for the Fishing Co. of Alaska, who owned the Ranger, and worked on two of her sister ships. The degree of negligence that the company exhibited with regard to maintenance and repair of their fleet was astonishing. They lost the Alaska Warrior, as well.

[@user-pl8wq9um7h]

I worked on Alaska one they lost her aswell

[@desdicadoric]

Every single company will put profit first unless forced to do something else

[@bjre.wa.8681]

@@user-pl8wq9um7h Me Too in '88 or '89, I don't remember now. I was a engineer and they put me out on the slimeline, so I didn't last to long. I want to add "some CP manufacturers had a grease fitting on the shaft tube that would manually using a manual grease gun that would push the propeller blades to the ahead postition". I wouldn't/couldn't second guess the engineering crew as to how everything went wrong, but on some installations there could have been the "Come Home feature". The stern of the vessel gets the hell beat out of them when retrieving the doors and that area required constant monitoring.

[@rival_son]

I can't find anything about losing the Warrior? What was the story there?

[@bhoutdoors507]

@@desdicadoricdefinitely not true in every case. Plenty of companies are owned by honorable people who take care of their employees.

[@Cas-Se78.97]

For all that went wrong, it's good to hear a story where most of the crew was rescued. So many of these stories end with everyone gone before anyone can arrive to help, but this time, the system (mostly) worked.

[@jamesnurgle6368]

wearing their survival suits the crew of 40 cycled through the pilots house in groups of five, each staying for approximately five minutes, to stay warm. i feel like that alone is enough to chill a soul.

[@Fiberglasser03]

Seriously, I thought that too. It had to be unbelievably cold.

[@BeauBeauRivage]

I have a huge respect for you not taking sponsorship on anything where human life was taken. A+

[@LetitGolazziter-uk9xi]

How in the heck did I wound up here? I’m a 53 year old American of African descent who has no interest in anything to do with the water, or fish, other than eating a few, yet here I am enjoying this story, the details, and your narrative skills are worthy of my sub! Nicely done sir!

[@YOOT_JJ]

Human curiosity can be a wonderful thing sometimes, lol

[@scottthompson3670]

Welcome to KZbin lol

[@Missa_and_Catula]

Exactly! That's how ppl end up here and keep staying!! Lol 🤣👏

[@japetrini]

The definition of a rabbit hole.😂

[@vaughanlloydjones3884]

Watch out mate. I've been watching 2 months and I just quit my job to go fishing. First trip out the week after Easter.

[@TheHrb1234]

The fact that 42 of the 47 were rescued is amazing and speaks to the skill, dedication and expertise of the rescuers.

[@honeyLXIX]

5:25 I like that you urge the audience to slowly learn the variations of vessels through watching. I realized a few videos ago that I know a lot of information about ships because I was retaining a lot, and I think this is due in part to the great way you present the information. Thank you.

[@kamokev_92]

I remember watching Deadliest Catch when I heard the mayday calls from the Alaska Ranger. It sent chills down my spine knowing how many people were aboard. Thankful that the majority of the crew were saved, however at the loss of 5 people. The Bering Sea is unforgiving and unpredictable, anyone brave enough to venture out into the cold wild blue, my hat is off to you all. RIP to those lost on the sea ❤

[@moosecat]

A saying I had to learn by heart during my "Mug" (freshman) year at NY Maritime College: The sea is selective: slow in recognition of effort and achievement, but fast in sinking the unfit.

[@bevakasha]

i have issues with audio processing, so i just wanna say, thank you so much for reliably providing subtitles for both your narration and in-video audio like radio calls. it's rare to see KZbinrs put this much effort into accessibility and it means a lot, especially since it allows me to fully appreciate your fantastic videos ❤❤❤

[@sage5296]

Even if you're just watching in somewhere that's a bit noisy, it's still such a blessing to have good subtitles

[@dontblockthebox]

Bumping this so hopefully he can read it

[@hollithomas899]

Right? And his voice is perfect speed for me to keep up pretty well anyway. The way he follows through every word, and pauses like what must be an extra millisecond at the appropriate place in his sentence structure so I almost never have to pause and I replay a lot less which I really like, I know less replays is probably not good money wise but I certainly appreciate it lol.

[@trashpanda314]

Man those Coast Guard SAR crews are true heroes. Especially the rescue swimmers. Imagine willingly jumping into the abyss.

[@denali9449]

I was the master for a 125' single trawl vessel in the joint venture days of the early/mid '80's. We often had a Japanese Rep from the JV on board. The point you raise at 25:20 regarding them trying to assume control of the boat is well taken Several times I was forced to order him off my bridge and to not speak to my crew. All 'discussions' centered around fishing in conditions I deemed to be beyond the limits of my crew and vessel. In my early 30's at the time I felt bringing everyone safely back to the dock was more important than his name calling and threats. Fortunately, the owner of the boat agreed with me.

[@Layfff]

Aw fuck, after seeing the Scandies Rose video and thinking it couldn't get more personal, you release this. God damn the bering sea fr man.

[@anonemoose7777]

The opposite side of the arctic from the Bering sea, the northeast Atlantic/North sea is much the same. From the lifeboat Mona to the Princess Victoria to a countless and ever growing string of fishing vessels of all sizes the constant loss and threat of loss of loved ones just becomes a part of the culture. I’d like to think people from our wee islands and those wee islands would understand each other well on that. Raise a glass to those who tempt the sea and either make their way home or to fiddlers green. 🍻

[@VanessaScrillions]

​@anonemoose7777 hear hear 🍻

[@muskyman1018]

13 years in the Navy, and living out on Adak for 2 years, where I ran a small boat safety program during that time and we also operated a 32’ charter fishing boat. Your investigative reports always really hit me, those are seafaring brothers and sisters. Really makes me also appreciate all the training upon more training that we did. Made dealing with emergencies an automatic response.

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

Living on Adak, whew that has gotta be crazy interesting. Also hi Cobra Dane lol.

[@jamesbohlman4297]

You don't sleep, you are cold and wet from hauling gear, and then you get a chance to sneak an hour or two of sleep on the only warm, dry, place in the boat: on the diamond plate next to the port or starboard manifold in the engine room. The vessel owners just fix as much as they have to; they fleece the operation so that they make their money, and collect the insurance money in case of accident. If every rusty bucket was broken up tomorrow I would not cry.

[@tjroelsma]

Even though technically speaking members of the crew were negligent, it's really hard to fault them. The fishing industry is periods of inactivity when traveling to and from fishing grounds, followed by very hectic periods of working almost full time to "get the job done". When loads of fish have to be processed it's simply all hands on deck and proper rest becomes a luxury. Crew members will reason that as soon as the relatively short high stress period is over, they will "catch up" on lost sleep and try to tough it out by grabbing a short nap whenever they can. And who can blame them? With 20-20 hindsight it's obvious that inspection in Japan should have taken into account the doubler plates, extended welding and patching of the bulkhead, the many entries in the repair log and the fact that major work had been skipped for the next maintenance and therefore should have concluded that the stern of the Alaska Ranger was in a very bad shape and therefore the Ranger was NOT seaworthy at that time. The whole stern section should have been stripped of all doublers to assess the material strength of the original hull-plating underneath and that hull-plating should probably all have to be replaced. Even more worrying though were the cracks in the main frame, as those show that the structure of the ship was failing, probably due to the decades of wear and tear.

[@kingalphawerewolf]

Yeah, this a major reason why it's neigh impossible to get rid of drug and alcohol habits on ships. Because stuff is so bad on the sailors that clean people before getting onboard get off as raging alcoholics/your drug of choice to cope with the conditions.@@tjroelsma

[@saltrocklamp199]

The apparent lack of sleep during fishing operations really stuck out to me. 12 hours on, 6 hours off so basically no sleep, running literal tons of fish through all manner of processing machinery, dealing with loud equipment, presumably blood and guts, and who knows what occupational hazards. And that's before you get into any actual seafaring. Imagine if an incident happened while all that was going on. I guess OSHA isn't a thing at sea? Seems like there at least should be a union for this kind of work.

[@waffletracktor]

I'm a marine engineer by trade, and AFAIK all CPP systems are built in a "fail-reverse" arrangement to try and stop the ship in the event of a propulsion failure, with the thought that you're more likely to need to stop as quickly as possible to avoid a collision/grounding, and you can otherwise stop the engines/motors to avoid the astern propulsion. Obviously stopping the engines was not posible here due to the flodding, but the CPPs reversing on failure was likely as designed.

[@BrickImmortar]

Yep, which makes it even more inexcusable for crews to not be trained in its use.

[@lenrussell2424]

Thank you for this explanation. I assumed the reserving was designed, but I couldn't figure out why it would be designed this way instead of keeping the same tilt as when the power cut.

[@mathiasjacobsen3355]

Would it not be possible to disengage the gear box from the main engine, in order to stop propeller shaft from turning?

[@Curt_Sampson]

That's quite interesting, because my thought was that there must be quite a number of situations where, as with this one, losing way is going to worsen an already bad situation. (Though, presumably, had the backup system still been a mechanical pump driven by the engine, the propellers would have still been driving forward.) I wonder how many emergency situations prefer one over the other. (There has surely been extensive research and analysis done on this.)

[@2009dudeman]

@@mathiasjacobsen3355 You can just stop the engine. These are diesel engines and they can stop very quickly, much faster than steam turbines could. Had the bridge crew, or anyone on the crew emergency team for that matter, been trained for this kind of thing given it's now high likely hood as it's a fully electric system it would have been an easy solution to stop the engines and simply been dead in the water. This should have been a standard procedure given it's simplicity. "When electrical power is lost, main engines must be shutdown if reverse thrust is problematic". The procedure would also necessitate that emergency shutdown be possible from ALL command positions. It wouldn't have saved the ship, as vessels dead in the water tend to face waves abeam (sideways) and this causes a high likely hood of capsize when already taking on water. However, it most certainly would have been slower than what occurred and provided critical minutes to responders.

[@mikaross4671]

The rescue swimmer is incredible to do that in the cold water. Big shout out to all the rescue crew. RIP to those who died. I'm glad it wasn't worse.

[@TheBenchPressMan]

Rescue swimmers requesting to be left behind is absurd, these men are heros unquestionably. To think you’d ask to be left in the freezing ocean at night, hundreds of miles from land, in the snow and huge stormy seas. To think you have trust in your CG team to know they will come and pick you back up! Amazing.

[@markp44288]

Extraordinary selflessness!

[@MrCookerBorough]

i am fron NZ absolutely blown away by the response of your coast guard and all those who helped in the rescue effort. I thought maybe a few crew members would have survived after sinking at that time in the morning...incredible. what a in depth video thanks

[@Madhouse_Media]

In the Golden Ray video, Sam said he kept thinking General Motors whenever he heard "GM". In this video I kept thinking "Fiat Chrysler" whenever he said FCA. I guess that's better than Ferengi Commerce Authority. 😂

[@Blutwind]

Brunt. FCA. You are in breach of Ferengi fishing regulations by providing above avarage worker training and compensation!

[@MrThatnativeguy]

FCA you mean Stellantis?

[@majorsynthqed7374]

Now I have a vision of Quark serving raw Bajoran salmon to Worf at the bar.

[@Blutwind]

@@majorsynthqed7374 *Worf munching happily on fish sticks* "AH A FEAST FOR A REAL WARRIOR"

[@ihatealllife]

For me, GM = Game Master, a generic version of "Dungeon Master", someone that runs tabletop roleplaying games for players. 🙂

[@RussellBond-dk6dj]

I lost 2 very good friends in this disaster. They were catch crew. I told them not to get on the ship, I just didn't trust it.

[@katherinekeller4149]

May their memories bless you on life's cloudy days.

[@darrell3391]

Those SAR pilots, rescue swimmers and flight mechanics are magnificent in their abilities. Nerves of steel, stout hearts and sharp minds. These men and women serve selflessly risking their own lives in adverse conditions to save the lives of others. Thank you to any such person who happens to read this for your sacrifices, dedication and perseverance. I have never needed such services but knowing you are out there, ready to risk it all makes the world a better place. Do something nice for Coast Guard/SAR members if you see one during your day!

[@CheapSushi]

MASSIVE respect to the rescue crews. Seriously, just amazing that we have them and people do that kind of work. The rescue swimmers are a whole other level of superhero.

[@tishabeedle9216]

Your channel really does an immaculate job explaining accidents to novice viewers like me. I get super excited when your new videos pop up in my recommended feed. In thanks, I joined your membership. I appreciate the indepth analysis! Thank you so much!❤

[@volvo09]

Yeah, he does an extremely good job covering these events. Thank you for supporting his work

[@DagonNaxos]

The last thing you ever want to hear are the words "COMSTAT KODIAK" and a Lat/Lon. It puts my heart in my throat every time, man. God Bless every one of those brave men and women in the USCG, especially those folks. Fishing the North Atlantic is no joke (I know from personal experience), but the Bearing Sea is a whole other stratosphere of nuts.

[@sibire8284]

Strongly, strongly recommend everyone who sees this to go and read Deadliest Sea, which also covers the disaster and rescue. Fantastically well-written.

[@honeyLXIX]

📝 😊 thank you for the suggestion

[@HaileyG95]

Such a good book! The Bering on audible is also a good listen with several of the survivors and the coast guard crews.

[@JimMelanson]

Reading it now and it’s excellent!

[@mickkelly6389]

All so perfect storm, well written and informative. Shit film.

[@Pimpala03]

I was in the middle of this video when I learned of the Francis Scott Key bridge being struck. I know there will be a video on that one here on this channel.

[@honeyLXIX]

when i saw the news i immediately thought of Brick Immortar and wished that the members of the ship's crew cared as much about safety as we do here on this channel. 💔 a senseless loss. edit: it shows the boat lost power in a video recorded moments before the impact. i imagine that was horrifying for the crew 😥

[@PsRohrbaugh]

The Coast Guard really is amazing. I can't even imagine being a rescue swimmer, and jumping out of a helicopter into freezing water. True heroes.

[@mikem.s.1183]

@Brick Immortar, You are creating a community here. A group of well informed, intelligent, eagle-eyed people. Your attention to detail and, as you state, the constant, almost subliminal, effort to make this community familiarise itself with the various groups/classes/maritime tech...is most welcome. Thank you for your work. First class.

[@hammerman7082]

I can't believe I heard about the Maersk bridge crash in Baltimore and immediately thought "hmm, this seems like something BrickImmorter should cover"

[@leahsrichards]

Sam, these are worthy of being shown on National Geographic or something, these are amazing.

[@nicholaskoa1371]

more like Nat Geo would be worthy of Sam's productions. he is the GOAT. they are the boomer media conglomerates that simply cannot keep up.

[@ladiedi0731]

I was thinking more like PBS I think NatGeo has gone downhill recently.

[@Cmdtheartist]

You've convinced me. It's the landlubber life for me.

[@nastystang113]

You know you’re doing something right with your channel / content when nearly every comment here is talking about how amazing your content is and how great of a content creator you are. I came here to say it, everyone beat me to it, but I’ll still say it! Keep up the amazing work! Every video you put out is phenomenal and so informative. It’s always super sad when tragedies like this could have been prevented with proper maintenance.

[@umad42]

The way you write and pace these videos is very very well done, and you always display the utmost respect and care while telling the whole story of these tragic accidents. You are brilliant at this

[@The_Reckoning_Is_Here]

My grandfather served 20 years in the coast guard - this is why they train so hard and spend so much time away from family. I’m glad they were able to save most.

[@lawrencerenew8668]

Being a aircraft carrier sailor, and on the brutal seas I can only imagine getting an abandon ship call from the bridge. Very chilling. I do know that the improvements made via NTSB and USCG for SAFTY are greatly appreciated. And I thank my lucky stars that I ever made it back from my solo fishing trip from Traverse City Michigan to green bay and back on my 19’ searay. I lost my motor in a squall with 20’/30’ waves for a half hour, managed to refire and complete the 130 mile round trip. Today it’s mandatory to have a mayday chip in your ship to shore radio. I would have used it that day. However I had neither. God sailed with me that day⚓️🇺🇸

[@WonderDerek]

There's a movie with Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher that is about the Coast Guard's rescue swimmers that goes well with Brick Immortar's videos. It's called The Guardian for anyone interested in a a really good CG movie. Even though it's a movie, it really shines a light on how underrated and heroic the rescue guys are. Thanks for another great video, Brick. This is one of the few channels I anxiously wait for new videos. I've recommended your channel to a bunch of my friends and family. Really, really awesome work.

[@TheUndeadslayer221]

The real question is if you have considered trying to get hired as a narrator for other TV shows and documentaries, because your voice fits that very well in such a role.

[@BlauveltBurns]

I find his voice helps me fall asleep too… and he’s a brilliant documentary maker. RIP to all and best wishes to the survivors and rescue crew

[@Piedog769]

You know you’re making awesome content when nearly 60% of viewers upvote your video. I immediately upvoted this one as it started due to the consistently high quality and well researched videos your publish. Always look forward to new videos from you!

[@alabamacoastie6924]

Check your math. Almost 100%

[@HungarianComrade]

​@@alabamacoastie6924 Its possible he meant of all who watched

[@DeadBaron]

So the stern was literally falling apart for years and constantly being re-welded or patched... I wonder how many crew members had any idea they were sailing on a deathtrap

[@rushbicketybam1868]

Hi there and thanks for discussing this topic so thouroughly. My family has 90 years of commercial fishing and in fact, my father was a part of the first crew of the Aleutian Enterprise, a converted work boat that sank in 1989. Long story short, when listening to these videos, i just get the shivers. Our community has lost so many generations of young men to poor maintenance, negligence and mother nature. It was the primary reason that I joined the Navy, because it was much safer...Thanks again for your content and cheers-

[@murdercom998]

I thought I had it rough when I worked on the Northren Alliance 6h on 6h off but 12 and 6 sounds brutal. We had some insane trips, one trip 3 people quit all the ones I happened to be bunking with in the 4man bunk. Sleep was hard to get with them randomly getting up to get food and not work, kinda sucked. They push you harder than you think is physically possible, working 24h straight is not unheard of.

[@Nderak]

why would you ever pass a law to EXEMPT A FLEET FROM INSPECTION bruh the nineties were wildin'

[@hb_13]

One of the best channels on YT. Amazing content as always

[@velox__]

Anyone else cheer when they saw a new Brick Immortar upload, and then immediately felt bad for cheering, given the subject matter? Just me?

[@brycechristensen1510]

Go ahead and cheer. Feeling bad won't bring back those lost, but learning their story might save others.

[@Sassymouse88]

It's like "yay! But oh no!"

[@drockjr]

Your videos matter and have an impact on the world. I wish I could fully articulate how they've opened minds, lead to new ways of doing business, formulating new ideas, and reminding ourselves to not be complacent. Thank you for what you do.

[@dboenish]

This is why KZbin is amazing. This is better than any Discovery Channel show I watched, even in the glory days od Discovery in the 90s. Great visuals and full detail.

[@Immortal..]

Its the third time I see the Alaska Ranger covered, but its the highest quality yet. Thanks!

[@Lalasa2]

It's crazy to think that the first video I ever watched from you was an exploration video about a dead and abandoned mall. I didn't expect your content evolution, but I'm happy to see it! Your new direction is so good, and maybe even more important than the last for education. Thanks for great videos!

[@lonelyovaries]

My day just got infinitely better seeing this in my sub tab

[@eherrmann01]

The production quality and the thorough research that goes into all of your videos is second to none. Thanks for all you do Sam.

[@GrabinGears]

I live 5 minutes away from the Francis Scott Key Bridge. I know you will cover this story when you get all of the facts.

[@Scatpack-gw9kb]

Wow that’s crazy trucker

[@nicholaskoa1371]

Brick Immortar, the actual GOAT of their niche. the vibe cannot be replicated or reproduced. truly a master of craft at play here.

[@happilea]

I wish you had thousands of videos. Your voice is so calming. When things get crazy in my life I put one of your videos and I cannot express to you how much of an impact you have on my life. I enjoy the educational aspect of the videos as well even though I don't know much about ships or had much of an interest in them. I have learned a lot from your videos. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@leopardone2386]

It's rainy and awful out as I watch this, I can only imagine what the crew and rescue teams went through. Much respect to all Mariners. Thank you for sharing.

[@jamiec6504]

One of the best channels on KZbin by far. Every episode is thoroughly researched and presented in a factual and respectful manner. Always great to see a new upload from you guys.

[@AncientM4riner]

you are one of my fave channels on youtube, thank you for the quality content you put out, never a miss. Sorry about lives lost, appreciate the lessons learned.

[@romie426]

It’s scary how excited I get whenever I see a new one of these! Perfect listen on a Sunday afternoon while working around the house… I’m hooked

[@balrogdavid]

I recently found this channel a month ago, and I haven’t regret it since. It original and deff good projects you take your time on and it shows.

[@jasonjavelin]

I think familiarizing the public with the types of ships is awesome and sheds a lot of light on some of the logistics and story that each ship has. Hearing about the name changes, controversy, buying and selling of the ships is one of my favorite parts lol.

[@kingalphawerewolf]

Yeah, finding this channel as shown me we need WAY more scrutiny over the state of the american commercial fleet, and the standards we let them get away with. Like, so many of these videos wouldn't have happened, even with the really dumb people sometimes in play, if the ships were.. Well, ships and not patched up rust boxes.

[@mattteee2973]

The professionalism, competency and resources of the USCG are absolutely incredible. S&R folks all over the world do amazing work, but I don't think any other organisation would have been able to pull off a rescue of this scale in such a harsh enviroment. Amazing stuff.

[@trj1442]

Oh wow! Another rare BrickImmortar post. I always look for these. A real pity it's off to work time on a Monday morning downunder but am definitely looking forward to watching this post tonight. Definitely one of my all time favourite channels. Doesn't post much, but what he does is top notch quality. Thankyou.

[@garythesnailsdad]

I get so stoked when I see you posted. The amount of information you give and the details are incredible. I’ve seen this wreck covered before but non of them do it as much justice as you always do!

[@jacobburesh8522]

just wanted to give a big thanks to the depth, quality, and detail you put into these. thank you

[@theunseenfool]

just gotta say you put REAL work into this stuff and i wanna thank you

[@Krxmpet]

Brick Immortar posting is the best gift I’ve gotten this week

[@tomjpt]

Thank you. Way longer than my attention usually last but I watched every minute of it. Major kudos to you, the Coast Guard and in a limited way to the other FCA vessels that stayed with the search long past any reasonable expectation of recovering a survivor.

[@krissykk1618]

I just came across your channel 3 days ago, and I am so impressed with the quality, tone and manner of which you make these videos, I love watching them, thank you for all you do 🖤

[@baguette4177]

Love these long form, in depth videos. I know they dont do as well on youtube and for that reason im even more thankful for the effort you put into these. Its also nice that this was a largely positive ending, still with lives that could have been saved if proper safety had been followed. Cheers.

[@jaredruiz1701]

New Brick Immortar while sitting around at work? What a pleasant day

[@colleenlally-ross7105]

I was raised in Alaska and my dad took me crabbing in Homer, salmon fishing on copper river and hunting outside of Fairbanks all through my youth. He taught me first and foremost SAFETY!! Especially with firearms as we went target shooting every weekend starting when I was 10. To this day I'm vigilant about safety but shocked at how many adults I come in contact with that are so cavalier about how to be safe either in the water or while handling firearms...

[@muirgenmonet]

Your videos are fantastic-I love how thoroughly you research and the way you explore not only the incident, but the history and surrounding context. I actually watch your videos more than once- first time for the actual content and then… my anxiety has been bad lately. Your calm, measured delivery (especially when talking about boat mechanics I don’t quite understand) has been just the thing to help me drift off. Just wanted to thank you.

[@l3ubba308]

Footage of my old cutter definitely brought back memories, including how much we (the crew) hated doing training evolutions with the helo (nobody likes being on deck in the Bering Sea in the winter). Did many "hot gas" evolutions with our 65, it is moments like these that make all those training evolutions worth it. I wasn't on the Munro when this case happened, but I miss being underway and I'd happily get back on one if they were still around. The 378s were a good platform and I'm sad they have all been decommissioned.

[@markp44288]

Thanks for your service. You USCG folks are crazy as hell and we're all thankful for you!

[@JoshuaTootell]

She still sails, just not with the USCG. Also, I loved flight ops, even in the Bearing. -MK1 (also on the Funro)

[@bobmiller2921]

CG Boutwell sailor here. WHEC all the way

[@RB26DETT_]

42 out of 47 rescued is a testament to the elite ability of the USCG. I can only imagine the bravery and courage it must take to be a rescue swimmer on those helicopters heading to the scene, ready to dive into the pitch black abyss with 8m high waves and icy cold waters.

[@TheHighlander5555]

Your videos are of a really high quality and especially appreciated by your viewers. Keep up the great work. RIP to the Alaska Ranger victims.

[@ltipst2962]

Fantastic video as per. Every few months I'm in absolute bliss listening to you describe these disasters. Have to hold a moment of extra respect for those that saved so many swimmers in absolute hell that night.

[@HEDGE1011]

I’m already a patron, but I think this is one of your best videos yet, “El Faro” sharing that top rung. I cannot tell you how impressed I am with the level of detail and analysis presented here. I can’t believe that 42 of 47 crewmembers survived, and while I always appreciate the respect you show to those lost, I have to commend all those involved in the rescue effort. That was courageous and awe inspiring! I thank you for your continued excellence and just wanted to send a small token of my gratitude for this outstanding video. [Edited for punctuation.]

[@a.lima2512]

Your about to be real busy

[@tron.44]

Why?

[@parislikesliners]

@@tron.44This was a reference to the bridge collapse in Baltimore.

[@nickkrnickkr]

Stellar work. Excellence at its finest. Always a pleasure to get that notification. Your dedication & commitment to 1st class productions do NOT go unnoticed. Thank you, again.

[@anderson3510]

These are some of the best videos on the internet. Everything is spot on, from the tone of narration to the visuals and background music. There is just enough bling to really keep me focused and able to absorb all the data. Well done.

[@einfisch3891]

Incredible video. Top quality as always.

[@difdaf436]

Workers in the factory work 12 hrs then 6 of..! Wtf! By time you have a feed and a shower and get to sleep, then get up and get ready for another shift you be lucky to get 4 hrs sleep!! That’s inhumane!! You would a boat full of sleep deprived workers operating machinery..! Wow that’s discusting!!

[@sullyp777]

wow this coverage watching with my wife on sunday morning, was so intense. how you guys put it together was incredible. RIP to the few missing

[@thevoicestoldmetoagain4627]

I appreciate how you do a memoriam and moment of silence in every video. Thats solely why i subbed. I can definitely get behind that kind of respect.