The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument was created by President George W. Bush. Now President Obama is quadrupling it in size — making it the biggest marine reserve in the world.
Oceans
Marine mammal camp nurtures budding scientists
The phrase “summer camp” usually brings to mind images of toasted marshmallows, campfires and wobbly canoe trips.
City investigates vessel found burning in Captains Bay
A vessel caught fire in Unalaska waters last weekend. The incident is still under investigation, but City Manager Dave Martinson said efforts are already underway to address the damaged boat.
Cruise-ship evacuation exercise begins as luxury liner prepares for Arctic trek
The U.S. Northern Command and Coast Guard have launched a major field-training exercise off Alaska’s northwest coast. Arctic Chinook is intended to demonstrate how local, state and federal agencies would respond to a simulated cruise ship accident. Coincidentally, a big luxury cruise ship will sail through the area while the exercise is under way. And to further complicate things, bad weather has just set in.
On the Serenity, keeping alert for an icy voyage ahead
The Crystal Serenity is carrying 980 passengers on a 32-day journey from Anchorage to New York City. The cruise ship is the largest ever to navigate the Northwest Passage, a voyage of many other firsts for Crystal Cruises, according to captain Birger Vorland.
NASA keeps watch of shrinking Arctic ice
“A lot of ice experts, including myself, thought we were headed for a record year minimum,” said Hajo Eicken, a professor at the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.