On April 2, 2001, the worst fishing accident in America in 50 years took place on the Bering Sea. The Arctic Rose, a 92-foot commercial fishing trawler, went down in the frigid water 205-miles northwest of St. Paul Island. All 15 crewmen went down with the ship. No radio call for help was sent.

The Coast Guard began an investigation that lasted for three years. The Arctic Rose was discovered beneath 428 feet of icy water, but only one body, that of Captain David Rundall, was found.

The inquiry drew conclusions based upon underwater video of the wreck. Although the exact cause is not known, a possible reason for the disaster did surface. The underwater cameras showed that several of the ship’s doors and hatches were left open. Since not all the members of the crew were experienced seamen, the theory was that these novices did not understand the importance of keeping a ship’s watertight doors closed. Investigators said, “The ill-trained, inexperienced crew frequently tied the door open to let some fresh air into the boat's fish-processing area.” Waves from a rough sea would have swept into the trawler through that open door into other open doors and hatches. As a result the Arctic Rose would have capsized in less than 2 minutes.

Not all open doors are positive opportunities. Some are an invitation to disaster.