Mike Corey

Doyle shuffles out of Captain Lefevre's office, stunned.

He was so sure the captain was on his side.

Instead, he knows that if he screws up again, he won't get another warning.

he'll be out.

From Audible Originals, I'm Mike Corey, and this is Against the Odds.

The U.S.

Coast Guard calls southeastern Alaska the most demanding flight environment for Coast Guard aircraft operations.

There, the men and women of Air Station Sitka are responsible for patrolling 12,000 miles of remote and rugged coastline, as well as search and rescue operations on both land and sea.

You may remember their heroics from past seasons of this podcast, including Alaska Bear Attack and Fire at Sea Cruise Ship Rescue.

In 1996 and 97, Air Station Sitka was also the home base of a troubled chief warrant officer named Bob Doyle, who would go on to play a role in one of the most infamous shipwrecks and improbable rescues in Alaska's history.

This is Episode 1, Black Line.

Bob Doyle stands on the sidewalk outside a two-story clapboard house that's seen better days.

Actually, that's an understatement.

The house is a dump.

But right now, it might be the last place in Sitka that will have him.

It's an overcast afternoon in November 1997, seven months since Bob was finally kicked out of the Coast Guard.

After the meeting with Captain Lefevre, Bob tried to clean up his act, but as divorce proceedings dragged on, his drinking got worse.

Things came to a head about a year ago when he was arrested for drunk driving.

To avoid a dishonorable discharge, Bob opted for early retirement and the meager pension that came with it.

He's bounced around various places in Sitka ever since.