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    <copyright>Copyright © 2026. National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.</copyright>
    <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs>
    <managingEditor>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</webMaster>
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      <title>Chemical of the Quarter: Understanding Coal</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2677553</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Coal is regulated in maritime transportation by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Transportation, and the International Maritime Organization. It presents several hazards in shipping. Coal emits methane, a flammable gas, which can create combustible atmospheres in transport. Coal may also undergo oxidation, a process during which oxygen is depleted and concentrations of CO₂ or CO build in the cargo space. Some coals may react with water, producing flammable and toxic gases, such as hydrogen, or acids, which may cause corrosion. In addition, coal is subject to spontaneous heating, which can lead to spontaneous combustion in the cargo space. All vessels carrying coal are subject to Coast Guard inspection as part of the service’s responsibility to enforce maritime transportation requirements for all solid bulk cargo.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:47:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2677553</guid>
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      <title>The Coast Guard Reserve in the Last Frontier: Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic reservists’ role across the Arctic District</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2675936</link>
      <description><![CDATA[U.S. Coast Guard reservists play a critical role in supporting the operations of the service's Arctic District. They are integral to maintaining maritime safety, security, and environmental protection in  Alaska's dynamic and hazardous operational environment. Unlike Reserve units in the continental United States, reservists from Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic face distinct challenges due to the region’s extreme distances, unpredictable weather, and logistical hurdles. Reservists are dispersed across Alaska as well as the states of Washington, Texas, and Wisconsin. Many of those living outside Alaska do so because the state has a limited pool of individuals with the necessary expertise, prompting these out-of-state reservists to volunteer or be assigned to fill critical gaps in personnel and capability. Reservists are directly involved in high-profile Arctic operations that offer valuable hands-on experiences and are exposed to a diverse range of mission sets that aren't necessary in other areas of the Coast Guard. This includes enforcement of laws vital to the state’s economy, particularly the commercial fishing industry, and operating in remote Arctic communities. As the Arctic continues to evolve, reservists will only grow in importance, serving as force multipliers in ensuring the security and safety of the maritime environment.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:47:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2675936</guid>
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      <title>Expanding the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Arctic and Near-Arctic Alaska</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2675019</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Long distances, harsh weather, and minimal infrastructure pose stringent challenges to the Coast Guard's Arctic District in fulfilling its missions for search and rescue, pollution response, and maritime security. Expanding the Coast Guard Auxiliary in remote Arctic and near-Arctic communities is an increasingly logical step. Although smaller in total numbers, the Arctic District Auxiliary in Alaska has more than 10 times as many members per capita as districts in the Lower 48 states—and each member logs nearly twice the national average of volunteer hours. This heightened involvement has real value in these far-flung regions. A single auxiliarist in a distant village can serve as the Coast Guard’s local eyes and ears, shorten response times, and strengthen relationships with residents who might otherwise feel overlooked. As maritime traffic grows and ice conditions change, the district’s demands will only intensify. Harnessing the dedication and local expertise of Alaskans through targeted recruiting and practical training is key to meeting these challenges.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:01:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2675019</guid>
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      <title>The Maritime Economy of Southeast Alaska</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2673930</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The ocean is central to Southeast Alaska’s economic and cultural identity, with its maritime economy accounting for nearly a quarter of direct wages in the region. Communities depend on barges to import most commodities, including food and fuel. The seafood industry depends on the wealth of the sea and the flotilla of 2,600 commercial fishing vessels homeported in the region. Nearly 2 million visitors come to Southeast Alaska yearly, primarily on around 500 cruise ship voyages in the summer. Freight ships move logs and ore laden with precious metals to market. Alaska Marine Highway ferries provide transportation between communities. Government workers regulate the fishing industry, teach fisheries courses, manage coastal areas, operate docks and harbors, research ocean species and habitat, and guard its coasts. The Coast Guard’s presence in Southeast Alaska is significant, with 825 active-duty members and civilians, as well as 61 auxiliarists serving in the region. These individuals contribute to the economy, earning nearly $73 million in wages annually.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:28:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2673930</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Arctic Fueling: Extending time on scene in high latitudes through commercial fueling at sea</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2673035</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The U.S. Coast Guard has logistics hubs in Kodiak and Dutch Harbor, Alaska. However, with increasing presence of foreign competitors operating throughout the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean, Coast Guard Cutter (CGC) Stratton needed to develop options for refueling and resupplying farther north than these established locations. Stratton crewmembers determined that Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) open market locations exist in Kotzebue Sound, Point Hope, and Utqiagvik, with fuel delivered by the same barge operators that refuel communities in western Alaska and the North Slope. They were able to order fuel twice through Clipper Oil, a commercial vendor with a DLA contract in Nome. In addition to fueling, Stratton crewmembers researched options to reprovision food and supplies in high latitudes and to provide emergency medical services and personnel transfers. Kotzebue was an ideal location for personnel transfers, with daily flights to Anchorage. The city of Nome provided plenty of opportunities for cutter boat transfers of personnel and provisions. International maritime traffic of all types will continue to increase throughout the Arctic Ocean and high-latitude waters of the United States. This traffic will require the extended presence of U.S. Coast Guard cutters to uphold maritime governance, safeguard global commerce, and provide maritime domain awareness in the region.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:39:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2673035</guid>
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      <title>Delivering Survival: Moving fuel and freight in the Last Frontier</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2672772</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Alaska’s maritime transportation sector uses data gathered from resources like Marine Exchange of Alaska (MXAK) to safely deliver the fuel and supplies that many Alaskans count on for survival. The limited roads within the state, and the efficiency of moving fuel by water, make maritime companies like Vitus Marine, Crowley Corporation, Centerline Logistics, and Alaska Marine Lines crucial to the viability of numerous remote Alaskan communities. These companies are members of the American Waterways Operators (AWO), which serves as the advocate, resource, and united voice for the domestic tugboat, towboat, and barge industry nationwide. Without AWO, the Coast Guard and other regulators would have to engage each company individually. AWO mitigates the need for this by functioning as both the principal advocate for the industry in Alaska and as a convenor of discussions to bring stakeholders together. AWO is one of several organizing and galvanizing forces in Alaska’s maritime environment. Nonprofits focused on maritime interests like the Harbor Safety Committee, MXAK, and the burgeoning Propeller Club of Alaska are all examples of the type of cooperative effort that is taking place to make Alaska’s operating environment tamer and less wild.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:24:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2672772</guid>
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      <title>Delivering the Coast Guard Mission to Remote Alaska</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2672487</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The United States Coast Guard operates throughout Alaska, focusing primarily on the protection of mariners and waterways. At the heart of this effort are Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Kodiak, MSU Dutch Harbor, Marine Safety Detachment (MSD) Homer, MSD Ketchikan, and MSD Sitka. Despite the challenges of extreme conditions, their small, dedicated teams of 7 to 10 active-duty members are responsible for commercial vessel inspections, marine casualty investigations, pollution response, and bulk fuel facility regulatory compliance exams. For the personnel assigned to these units, the challenges of living and working in remote Alaska are as demanding as the operational tasks themselves. Living off the beaten path comes with limited access to medical facilities, goods, and social opportunities. Despite these challenges, Coast Guard personnel stationed in Kodiak, Dutch Harbor, Homer, Ketchikan, and Sitka demonstrate remarkable resilience and dedication. 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.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:04:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2672487</guid>
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      <title>Marine Inspections in Alaska</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2671601</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Coast Guard Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic’s Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection (OCMI) is responsible for ensuring that all vessels can safely perform commercial maritime activities in the Alaska region. To achieve this, the OCMI depends on the subject matter expertise of officers, chief warrant officers, civilian domestic vessel inspectors, enlisted port state control (PSC) officers, and fishing vessel examiners. These professionals form the inspections division workforce at the sector. The types of inspections performed include domestic vessel inspections, foreign vessel examinations, and commercial fishing vessel safety examinations. While the sector is based in Anchorage, most inspections require routine travel to remote areas. Traveling throughout the state for inspections may include unplanned overnight stays due to weather; trips of up to five days are not unheard of in this environment. The Inspections Division works to guarantee that vessels operating in these waters are built, maintained, and equipped to withstand the region’s harsh conditions.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:04:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2671601</guid>
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      <title>Smooth Sailing: Prevention’s role in the Southeast Alaskan cruise industry</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2669884</link>
      <description><![CDATA[At the peak of the April to October cruise season in Southeast Alaska, upwards of 30 cruise ships per day navigate the dramatic, glacier-cut fjords of the Inside Passage. The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska’s Prevention Department plays a crucial role in keeping the thousands of passengers safe. The Prevention Department’s vessel inspectors, facility inspectors, investigators, and waterways management experts all work together to examine cruise ships, inspect local tour boats that cater to cruise passengers, investigate accidents, enforce port security standards, maintain the navigation aids that mark safe passages, and evaluate the navigational risks posed by expanding port infrastructure projects. In the case of a significant incident involving a cruise ship, Sector Southeast Alaska’s Response Department and Command Center stand ready to coordinate with a network of federal, tribal, state, and local partners to exert maximum effort to mitigate harm to life, property, and the environment. Nevertheless, the Prevention Department team strives to ensure that travelers embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime voyage through one of the world’s most uniquely beautiful places experience nothing but smooth sailing.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:22:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2669884</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>The Geopolitical Sprint to Arctic Resources</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2669657</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Arctic waters are expected to become seasonally ice-free by 2035, opening up access to unspoiled natural resources and shipping routes. This development creates a host of maritime opportunities and threats for the eight nations with land territories in the Arctic and other states with Arctic interests. Governance over the seas in the region is largely driven by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and various regional fisheries management organizations and is facilitated by the Arctic Council—the primary body for regional cooperation. For nations who are signatory, UNCLOS contains a process for arbitrating competing and overlapping claims to subsea natural resources. However, increased Arctic access is likely to further intensify territorial disputes as countries race to seize vast economic opportunities and contend for greater control of resources in the region, including the enormous reserves of oil, natural gas, and minerals that hold the key to military defense and economic growth. As the Arctic continues to evolve geopolitically, the international community must prioritize a rules-based resource extraction to ensure long-term sustainability and global security.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:22:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2669657</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Maritime Search and Rescue Across the Last Frontier</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2669723</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Arctic District of the Coast Guard participates in a relatively low number of maritime search and rescue (SAR) responses each year. However, the stakes tend to be much higher and the challenges more pronounced in Alaska compared to other regions of the United States. These factors include inclement weather, communications limitations, area of responsibility (AOR) size, distance to respond, asset availability and capability, prevalence of non-routine missions, increased maritime traffic in the Arctic region, and remoteness. Despite the many challenges this district faces, ongoing partnerships and recent successes are indicative of the potential for progress. The Coast Guard is signatory to nine memorandums of agreement or understanding with key partners across the AOR, including the Air Force, Alaska State Troopers, and North Slope Borough SAR. It also maintains working relationships with foreign nations’ rescue coordination centers like those of Japan, Canada, and Russia. These relationships have been instrumental in ensuring enhanced safety of mariners across Alaska, allowing for collaboration, information sharing, and mutual assistance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:22:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2669723</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Alaska’s Frozen Front Line: Mastering search and rescue in the Last Frontier</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2668463</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In Alaska, even the simplest search and rescue (SAR) missions can become anything but routine. The author describes a nighttime medical evacuation in Cold Bay that should have been straightforward but was complicated by unexpected snow squalls, deteriorating visibility, and risky mountainous terrain. After retrieving the patient, the return trip required every system on the aircraft—radar to identify terrain, forward-looking infrared to detect unseen obstacles, and deicing systems working overtime. Alaskan SAR operations are poised to face increasing challenges as the transformation of the Arctic accelerates. The retreat of sea ice is opening new trade and fishing routes, leading to a surge in vessel traffic through the Bering Sea. This heightened activity will necessitate an expanded Coast Guard presence and enhanced SAR capabilities to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving operational landscape.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:22:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2668463</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Search and Rescue Training in Southeast Alaska: The benefits of partnering in training</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2666473</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Every spring, search and rescue (SAR) crews from the Pacific Northwest and Alaska travel to United States Coast Guard Air Station Sitka in Southeast Alaska for a large-scale search and rescue exercise (SAREX). The annual event brings together SAR partners from the Canadian Air Force, the U.S. Air Force, aircraft from other Coast Guard air stations, as well as numerous Coast Guard cutters, boat operators, and local volunteer SAR teams. SAREX has ebbed and flowed in size and participation but has been gaining momentum over the past few years. Hosting SAREX has proven to be a rewarding experience for the unit, has strengthened partnerships, and improved interoperability with SAR partners throughout Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 11:52:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2666473</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Quintessential Kodiak: A complex, long-distance Arctic rescue</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2663579</link>
      <description><![CDATA[On August 26, 2023, United States Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak completed the medical evacuation of a man from a fishing vessel in the Bering Sea, more than 200 nautical miles northwest of St. Paul Island, Alaska. The rescue required an H-60 helicopter, a C-130 plane, crew and backup crew for each aircraft, plus a self-rescue H-60 crew and helicopter. The harsh Alaska environment brought extra complexities which included planned and unplanned refueling stops; adding a cold-weather kit of fuel additives, plugs and tie-downs; avoiding the cloud of ash from the eruption of Mount Shishaldin, and coping with low visibility from heavy fog. When all assets finally returned home, the air station crews had accumulated 29.4 flight hours, covering more than 1,400 nautical miles across four locations in just three days under the most challenging of conditions.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:07:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2663579</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Operational Advantages: Leveraging Alaska’s remoteness</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2659353</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Alaska presents unique operating challenges for the Untied States Coast Guard. Four critical infrastructure sectors—communications, water, energy, and transportation systems—are fundamental to maintaining societal functions in this isolated region. Transportation in particular serves as the backbone that connects these lifelines, underscoring its significance in ensuring national security and economic stability. Alaska’s remoteness, while a logistical challenge, also presents opportunities for innovation in infrastructure resilience. As technology continues to evolve, embracing secure, resilient communication models such as the NOAA N-Wave initiative will be pivotal in maintaining Alaska’s role as a key maritime gateway, reinforcing the nation’s economic and security imperatives. Coordination among state agencies, tribal governments, the Coast Guard, NOAA, and private-sector players ensures that Alaska’s maritime infrastructure remains at the forefront of innovation.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2026 09:48:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2659353</guid>
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