61 Fall 2025 Proceedings regulatory oversight, conducted in cooperation with Sector Puget Sound in Washington state and the local sector, ensured the vessel maintained high standards while housing nearly 100 personnel. This prototype is now being modeled by other companies planning on operating in Bristol Bay. The Inspections Division’s Operational Tempo Due to Alaska’s seasonal nature, inspection and exami- nation activity surges beginning in March, peaking in May, and tapering off through September and October. Off-season activity shifts toward long-term repair over- sight, requiring regular site visits to monitor hull inserts, piping modifications and repairs for damage caused by harsh operating conditions. For instance, routine dry- dock repairs for a single-hull oil-tank barge may last up to two months, especially if the vessel regularly grounds during bulk oil transfers. Logistical challenges such as supply chain delays and limited access can further extend repair timelines. Throughout these projects, inspectors must maintain constant communication with owners and operators to ensure productive visits and make the best use of fund- ing. Unlike units in the contiguous United States, Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic regularly requires rapid funding approval—especially for unplanned activi- ties like marine casualties. Requests for travel may be delayed due to depleted accounts, but the sector’s Logistics Department and Emergency Management and Arctic Division work together to reallocate funds as needed. These collective efforts ensure all missions are accomplished without deferral—a true testament to Semper Paratus. Maritime Safety and Prevention Activities While the mission may not receive the same attention as other statutory Coast Guard duties, the Inspections Division plays a critical role in enabling safe maritime commerce. According to Dave Schaeffer, the sector’s dedicated civilian commercial fishing vessel examiner, “The combined outreach and preventive efforts spear- headed by the sector’s prevention personnel have a sig- nificant positive impact on the reduction of loss of lives and vessels by ensuring commercial fishermen have the necessary lifesaving equipment and workplace conditions to survive the harshest maritime con- ditions known to humankind.” LCDR Kaitlyn Moore, the senior investigat- ing officer at the sector, added that cooperation is key to keeping mariners safe. “The inspection and investigation divisions work closely together to promote the overall safety of mariners after casualty analysis is conducted, potentially iden- tifying regulatory gaps, violations, and safety recommendations to prevent future casualties.” Conclusion The vast Alaskan waters are inherently unpre- dictable and often unforgiving. Traveling throughout the state for inspections may include unplanned overnights due to weather, extend- ing trips up to five days is not unheard of in this environment. The Inspections Division works to ensure that vessels operating in these waters are built, maintained, and equipped to withstand the region’s harsh conditions. About the author: CWO2 Thomas Thelen is an advanced journeyman marine inspector at Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic with 19 years in service, 17 of those in vessel inspections. He was commissioned in 2023 after completing the Enlisted Marine Inspector Training Program at Sector Puget Sound. When not actively working, he is with his wife and five sons, including new twins. His hobbies include biblical studies, sourdough bread, guitar, and cycling. Coast Guard examiners approach the Norwegian Jade, right, on their way to the Seven Seas Mariner cruise ship for a mandatory foreign passenger vessel examination May 26, 2025, in Whittier, Alaska. Coast Guard photo by LT Alex Duarte
