Captain Shawn Pomrenke Fights Off Mother Nature! | Bering Sea Gold

Captain Sean’s Grit and Determination in the Face of Harsh Conditions

November 2024

Captain Sean P. Ranky, aboard the Christine Rose, is pushing his crew through some of the toughest conditions they’ve faced this season. With a target of 1,000 ounces of gold in sight, Sean has been relentlessly chasing down a lucrative spot he discovered last week on an ancient beach line, but nature is making this challenge even more difficult than anticipated.

Last week, Mr. Gold managed to track down a promising streak, bringing in some impressive finds. “That’s some chunky gold right there,” he said. Now, the pressure is on as he aims to capitalize on that success and hit his target.

However, the weather has been unforgiving. “We’re not getting days on the water; we’re getting hours,” Captain Sean explained, frustration evident in his voice. “I’m nowhere near where I want to be for this time of the season. I don’t even know if we’ll be getting any mining done.”

With the relentless challenges of the year weighing on him, Captain Sean knows that a season like this can break even the most experienced miners. But he’s determined not to let it get the better of him.

Today, the crew is set to push through despite the conditions. “Today we’re going to make it count by getting on that hot spot,” Captain Sean said as he steered the Christine Rose toward the digging area. The excavator’s bucket is being pushed to its maximum depth, 16 feet—testing the limits of both the vessel and the crew’s ability to operate efficiently under harsh conditions.

But the seas are rough. High swells, pushing 4 to 5 feet, are causing the Christine Rose to lift off the beach line, preventing the bucket from making full contact with the sea floor. “It sucks,” Captain Sean admitted. “I’m either getting a bucket of water or half a bucket of sand. It’s pretty much a waste of time. Doesn’t seem like we can get a break this year.”

Despite the frustration, the crew refuses to give up. “I know the spot’s good; I followed the beach line right to here,” Captain Sean said, his resolve firm. “Mother Nature’s been kicking our butts all year long, but we just got to outsmart her.”

With determination and years of experience, Captain Sean attempts to time the excavator’s movements between waves, ensuring they get the full power of the barge and excavator to grab a bucket. “Here we go,” he says. “If you time it perfect, you get full buckets of dirt. Come on, there it is!”

Though the day is far from perfect, Captain Sean remains optimistic. “Most guys wouldn’t know how to make conditions like this work. This is where my years of experience really count. We’re making money now, even if it’s slower than usual. Are we still putting gold in the box? Yes, one bucket at a time.”

Five hours into the operation, the rough conditions are taking their toll. “The swell is bad, the wind’s coming up,” Captain Sean observed, the sea relentlessly battering the Christine Rose. “We need this weather to stop.”

But just as the frustration peaks, the tide seems to turn. Lower swells provide a window of opportunity, and suddenly, the pace picks up. “God, this stuff looks amazing,” Captain Sean says, as he sees the material coming through. “It’s exactly what I was looking for—clay sand. That’s money there.”

“Every time we take a scoop, it’s like a $100 bill going in the box,” he added with a smile, the optimism returning. Despite the difficult day, Captain Sean knows the key to success lies in persistence. “Sometimes you’ve got to just work through the bad weather, ‘cause you know the good weather’s going to come.”

The payoff is in sight. As the weather calms and the crew makes more progress, the gold begins to flow in, rewarding the crew for their persistence. “Not too shabby,” Captain Sean laughs, surveying the gold-filled buckets. “We’re making money. It’s tough, but it’s worth it.”

The day’s mining wasn’t perfect, but it was productive—something Captain Sean has learned to appreciate more than most. “The key to being a successful miner is coming up with ways to be the most efficient and productive you can be. Push through the tough stuff, and you’ll have the ounces to show for it.”

In the world of gold mining, patience and determination are crucial, and today, Captain Sean’s persistence paid off. Despite the rough seas and relentless challenges, he knows that his hard work will bring the rewards he’s been working toward all season.