Most days, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Maple is a beacon of safety in Southeast. But on the night before Halloween, the crew members transform the vessel into a haunted ship.
This annual event in Sitka doubles as a canned goods drive and scholarship fundraiser for Coast Guard families, many of whom operate behind the scenes to spook visitors.
![Crew members were responsible for decorating their own section of the ship, complete with special effects and creepy lighting (Mike Hicks/KCAW photo)](https://www.kcaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_8408-500x333.jpg?x94538)
Crew members were responsible for decorating their own section of the ship, complete with special effects and creepy lighting (Mike Hicks/KCAW photo)
![Zelman, who organized said the event, said the strangest item on this year's shopping list was a straitjacket (Mike Hicks/KCAW photo)](https://www.kcaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_8438-500x333.jpg?x94538)
Zelman, who organized said the event, said the strangest item on this year’s shopping list was a straitjacket (Mike Hicks/KCAW photo)
According to Ensign Kristen Zelman, who organized the event, 650 people walked through the Maple last night and the canned goods bin was full.
![Guests descend the ramp of the Cutter Maple, a 225 buoy tender operated by the Coast Guard in Southeast waters (Mike Hicks/KCAW photo)](https://www.kcaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_8462-500x333.jpg?x94538)
Guests descend the ramp of the Cutter Maple, a 225 buoy tender operated by the Coast Guard in Southeast waters (Mike Hicks/KCAW photo)