If you like reading true stories about this kind of thing, I just finished The Last Run, by Todd Lewan. About the USCG rescue of some fishermen after their boat sank off of Sitka, AK in the middle of a hurricane. 100+ mph winds, 70+ ft seas.

I have just started Pararescue, by Michael Hirsh, about the USAF PJ's rescue of the crew of a 450 ft ship that sank 1,200 MILES off of the east coast. Twelve plus hour mission in Blackhawks (pilots can't get up and walk around in a 'Hawk), with a jillion mid-air refuelings in really nasty weather.

Those rescue types, of both the USCG and USAF, are tough dudes!!!