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The fleet

Two vessels, eighty years apart.

One was built in Louisiana to work oilfield water. The other was laid down in Alabama in the middle of the Second World War. Both of them now run a gold season in the Bering Sea.

The M/V Nikola moored bow-on under a clear sky

Primary offshore mining vessel

M/V Nikola

A 112-foot steel utility vessel converted for offshore placer recovery. Deck-mounted excavator and crane, onboard sluice recovery, and accommodation for a full rotating crew through the Bering Sea season.

Official number617891
Year built1980
BuilderUniversal Iron Works
Built atHouma, Louisiana
Hull materialSteel
Length112.3 ft
Breadth29.9 ft
Depth10.2 ft
Tonnage358 GT ITC / 94 GRT
EndorsementsCoastwise, Registry

The M/V Nikola moored bow-on under a clear sky — M/V Nikola at her berth — 112 feet of steel hull, built at Houma, Louisiana.

The name NIKOLA painted in white block letters on a dark grey steel hull — Her name on the bow, freshly painted.

Three-quarter view of the Nikola bow from the pier — Bow three-quarter from the pier, showing the raised forecastle.

The Nikola seen broadside on flat water — Broadside on flat water — the working deck runs nearly her whole length.

The Nikola moored alongside other working vessels — Alongside, among the working fleet.

The Nikola main working deck looking aft — The main deck looking aft — clear working area for the recovery plant.

Deck crane on the Nikola against a blue sky — The deck crane, used to set and shift equipment on station.

Close view of the crane knuckle and hydraulic rams — Knuckle and hydraulic rams at close quarters.

Excavator mounted on the vessel deck — The deck-mounted excavator — the business end of the operation.

Excavator bucket resting on the deck — Bucket at rest between seasons.

Deck gear and rigging aboard the Nikola — Deck gear and rigging, laid out for the run north.

Small tender boat stowed on deck — The tender, stowed on deck.

The Nikola helm station and wheel — The helm.

Interior of the Nikola wheelhouse with instrument console — Wheelhouse — instrument console and chart space.

Wide view of the wheelhouse with windows on three sides — Windows on three sides give the watch a full horizon.

Mast, radar array and antennas above the wheelhouse — Mast, radar and antennas above the house.

Satellite communications dome mounted above deck — Satellite dome — Norton Sound is a long way from a cell tower.

Main engine in the Nikola engine room — Main engine.

Generator set in the engine room — Generator set — the plant runs on its own power for months at a time.

Red electrical switchboard panel in the engine room — Main switchboard.

The galley aboard the Nikola — The galley. A season is long, and the crew eats aboard.

The tug Stryker, formerly Angels Gate, moored alongside a pier

Marine support and logistics

M/V Stryker

A 1944 Army ST-class tug — hull ST-695, laid down at Decatur Iron & Steel in Alabama during the Second World War. She carries crew, fuel, and equipment, and stands by the mining vessel through the season.

Official numberST-695
Year built1944
BuilderDecatur Iron & Steel Co., Shipbuilding Division
Built atDecatur, Alabama
Hull materialSteel
Length130 ft
Breadth30 ft
Depth12 ft
Tonnage97 GT
EndorsementsCoastwise

The tug Stryker, formerly Angels Gate, moored alongside a pier — M/V Stryker — sailing then as Angels Gate, September 2021.

Profile: the unmistakable sheer of a wartime ST-class tug.

The Stryker on open water near a harbour — On the water off the harbour entrance.

The Stryker deckhouse and wheelhouse from the foredeck — Deckhouse from the foredeck.

Bow of the Stryker with fenders over the side — Bow and fenders.

The Stryker in a shipyard with her red hull visible — In the yard, red boot-topping showing.

Builder plate reading ST-695, Decatur Iron and Steel Co, Shipbuilding Division, Decatur Alabama, 1944 — The builder’s plate: ST-695, Decatur Iron & Steel, 1944. She was built for the war.

Traditional wooden ship wheel in the Stryker wheelhouse — The original wheel, still in the house.

Helm station and pilot chairs in the Stryker wheelhouse — Helm and watch chairs.

Interior of the Stryker wheelhouse looking out over water — Wheelhouse, looking out.

Wide interior view of the Stryker bridge — The bridge, wide.

Main engine in the Stryker engine room — Main engine — eighty years on and still turning.

Wide view of the Stryker engine room — Engine room, wide.

Auxiliary machinery and piping aboard the Stryker — Auxiliaries and piping.

Tender alongside the Stryker — Tender alongside.