Icebreaker to the rescue.

• Position: Vitus Marine LLC

In an international multi-entity logistical operation reminiscent of the serum run that inspired the Iditarod sled dog race, 22 agencies and offices at the federal, state, regional and local levels collaborated to bring 1.3 million gallons of fuel to Nome--on what many consider to be an emergency basis--to 3,600 residents living in the coastal community of Norton Sound.

Nome's regularly scheduled fuel delivery had been thwarted by an extremely powerful storm that hit Western Alaska Nov. 8 and 9, bringing hurricane-force winds, high seas and heavy snow. Vitus Marine co-founder Mark Smith and his employees initiated contact with all the parties that would be involved in what was to be the history making first commercial winter delivery of petroleum through sea ice to Nome.

First, Smith asked the owner of the Russian-flagged tank vessel Renda--a 370-foot, double-hulled, Russian registered vessel--if they would be willing to attempt the delivery. The owner agreed.

Then, Sitnasuak Native Corp. and Vitus Marine appealed for support to Lt. Governor Meade Treadwell and the congressional delegation to do what was necessary to provide regulatory oversight and prevention strategies in order to bless the delivery.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy, homeward bound from a seven month scientific mission in the Arctic Ocean...