"One doesn’t normally associate the U.S. Coast Guard with having an issue with the seaworthiness of its proud ships.Their mission relates more to the saving of others - both people and vessels in times of distress. The Coast Guard has many more mundane duties that provide safety to the maritime community and security to our nation. But saving lives is their mission! So it was quite a surprise to this retired U.S. naval officer to read this fascinating and heroic account, so well told by Captain Steven Craig, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret) with clarity, tempered emotion (much like the fabled police sergeant Friday who insisted “only the facts, Madam, just the facts”), with thoroughness and engagement of the tragic story of the grounding and near loss of a beautiful new ship “Jarvis”.The reader will be most reluctant to put the book down! The author explains in layman’s terms where the incident occurred, which is in one of the most dangerous sea environments; the circumstances of the grounding; efforts made to get underway and save her by a well trained crew in horrible conditions, heavy seas, fog and rain, sleet and snow. The “Jarvis” suffers flooding in the engine rooms, subsequent loss of power, amid drifting near vicious rocks in the Aleutian Islands, to be saved at the last moment by the heroic assistance given by a Japanese fishing trawler. A riveting and compelling account of the coordinated efforts by Coast Guard air and ship assets and others to assist in the successful rescue of their “own” is detailed. It is a balanced and honest appraisal of the missteps and mistakes made which is covered in detail. Captain Craig does give due credit and high marks to the men who fought and endured frightful conditions aboard the imperiled ship. Their successful efforts have left a shinning legacy to those who will come behind them, an example of courage and determination that is in keeping with finest traditions of Coast Guard service and the officer whose name was Jarvis."