On the Edge of Survival

A Shipwreck, a Raging Storm, and the Harrowing Alaskan Rescue That Became a Legend

By: Spike Walker

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

A Malaysian cargo ship on its way from Seattle, Washington, to China ran aground off the coast of western Alaska's Aleutian Islands on December 8, 2004, during a brutal storm, leading to one of the most incredible Coast Guard rescue missions of all time.

Two Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopters lifted off immediately from Air Station Kodiak during the driving storm, in an effort to rescue the ship's 18 crew members before it broke apart and sank in the freezing waters. Nine of the crew were lifted from the ship and dropped aboard a nearby Coast Guard cutter. But during attempts to save the last eight crew members, one of the Jayhawks was engulfed by a rogue wave that broke over the bow of the ship. When its engines flamed out from ingesting water, the Jayhawk crashed into the sea. The seven crew members from the ship who had been hoisted into the aircraft, along with the chopper's three-man crew, plunged into the bitterly cold ocean, where hypothermia immediately began to set in.

Interviewing all the surviving participants of the disaster and given access to documents and photos, acclaimed author Spike Walker has once again crafted a white-knuckle book of survival and death in the unforgiving Alaskan waters.

©2010 Spike Walker (P)2010 Tantor

Thrilling Account of a Legendary Rescue

This was a thrilling account of a legendary Coast Guard rescue. A freighter runs into trouble in the deadly Bearing Sea and the Coast Guard responds with 2 helicopters and the cutter Alex Haley. The rescue doesn't go as planned and the brave Guardsmen must rescue not only the crew, but their fellow Guardsmen as well. The captain and crew of the Selandang Ayu definitely contributed to the rescue that went wrong and environmental damage as well. Their actions will make your blood boil. Excellent book and Robertson Dean was fantastic on narration.

An absolutely gripping true story…

This is a gripping story of an actual maritime tragedy in the Bering Sea, during the worst possible environmental conditions. I watched the news surrounding this shipwreck happen at the time. It was a situation that had me glued to the reporting. This book fills in the details in a way that draws the reader in and ensures you know the human dimensions of the story. I’ve known two of the main characters in this story; they are accurately portrayed. You will recognize the Coast Guardsmen involved in this event as the real heroes that they are. I strongly recommend this book.

Great Story not so great narration.

The story was great but unfortunately the narrator drones on and could ha e used a bit more inflection, or a whole new voice.

Edge

What an awesome read, I highly recommend reading this book. I felt like I was right there in the helicopter, amazing true story.

True heroes

A fantastic telling of fantastic heroes in tue face of danger who defy death and put it all on the line to save lives.