65 Fall 2025 Proceedings Earth, exemplifying commitment, professionalism, and perseverance. These small, remote Coast Guard units play a crucial role in safeguarding the region’s maritime safety. Their far-reaching impact can be a lifeline for those who live and work on Alaska’s waters, whether they’re preventing a maritime disaster, responding to a vessel in distress, or ensuring that environmental regulations are followed. Conclusion Life in Alaska is not for the faint of heart and those who choose to serve there must be adaptable and resilient. Personnel operating from Alaska’s MSUs and MSDs face harsh weather, geographic isolation, and the demands of executing a complex marine safety mission in one of the world’s most remote regions. Despite these challenges, Coast Guard personnel stationed in Kodiak, Dutch Harbor, Homer, Ketchikan, and Sitka demonstrate remarkable resilience and dedica- tion. Whether inspecting a fishing vessel during a fierce storm, investigating a marine casualty, or responding to a pollution incident in the remote wilderness, they are always ready to serve. From navigating the intricacies of daily life in a small Alaskan community to long hours on the water, these personnel draw on their training, resourcefulness, and team spirit to meet the challenges of the job head-on. Their work not only ensures the safety and security of mariners but also contributes to the protection of the region’s delicate environment, the livelihoods of those who depend on it, and the preservation of the Alaskan maritime way of life. It serves as a powerful example of the Coast Guard’s dedication to excellence. About the authors: LT Lawrence Schalles, a native of Tampa, Florida, serves as command- ing officer of Marine Safety Unit Dutch Harbor, Alaska. In support of the prevention mission, he leads a team of six active-duty members in conducting inspections, exams, and marine casualty investigations in the largest U.S. commercial fishing vessel port by volume. LT Casey Reynolds, commanding officer of Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Kodiak, Alaska, safeguards Kodiak Island’s critical economic and trans- portation systems by ensuring the safety and security of Kodiak Island’s $1.2 billion fishing and $11 billion shipping industries. His experience also includes service aboard CGC Escanaba, Sector Delaware Bay, and MSU Port Arthur, highlighting a deep understanding of diverse mari- time operations. LT Juston Lee, from Bedford, Indiana, is the supervisor of Marine Safety Detachment Homer, Alaska. He leads a seven-person detachment spe- cializing in vessel and facility inspections and casualty investigations. His service spans 18 years and includes tours aboard CGC Hollyhock, at Air Stations Detroit, Miami, and Kodiak, as well as Sectors Mobile and New Orleans. LT Devin Greenwell is the supervisor of Marine Safety Detachment Ket- chikan, Alaska. He has 15 years of active-duty service with the Coast Guard, including eight years in marine inspections and marine casualty investigations. CWO2 William Glenzer, originally from Seattle, currently serves as the supervisor at Marine Safety Detachment Sitka, Alaska, where he over- sees marine safety, security, and environmental protection as the only marine inspector and marine investigator in the detachment’s area of responsibility which encompasses more than 4,815 square miles. Remote areas of Alaska, like Kwigillingok, are notorious for extreme weather including heavy snowfall, frequent rain storms, and bitterly cold temperatures for much of the year. The winds that whip through these coastal areas are fierce, with gusts that sometimes exceed 100 miles an hour. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class John Fanelli
