Russian ship to pump fuel to ice-bound Alaska port

[riderinthestorm]

1. The US Coast Guard ice breaker boat captain is a woman

I've actually been really fascinated by this story as the two ships have been making their tortuous way through the ice. They interviewed the female Coast Guard captain on NPR and it's just a great story.

The Coast Guard boat was actually on it's way home, to arrive in time for the holidays, when the request came through. The Captain immediately agreed to do it even though it meant that the crew wouldn't get home for the holidays - they haven't been home for 8 months now!!

Just great cooperation, the US Coast Guard, a Russian tanker, the citizens of Nome are frantically building a receiving dock for the oil on their end as they've NEVER had a delivery there before. It's like a teevee movie except it's real!!