. [ STOPWATCH TICKING ] >>> WE'LL BEGIN THE LARGEST DEPORTATION OPERATION IN THE
HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY, BECAUSE WE HAVE NO CHOICE. >> HOW REALISTIC IS DONALD TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PROMISE?
WE ASKED SOMEONE WHO WOULD KNOW. IS THERE A WRITTEN PLAN ON THIS. >> NOT THAT I KNOW OF. >> IF THERE'S MEMO, NO PLAN, IS
THIS FULLY BAKED? >> WE'VE DONE IT BEFORE. >> WE HAVE SEEN ONE ESTIMATE THAT SAID IT WOULD COST $88
BILLION TO DEPORT A 1 MILLION PEOPLE A YEAR. >> I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S ACCURATE OR NOT.
>> IS THAT WHAT AMERICAN TAXPAYERS SHOULD EXPECT? >> WHAT PRICE ON NATIONAL SECURITY?
>> "60 MINUTES" HAVE BEEN REPORTING ON THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON RUSSIA SINCE THEY INVADED UKRAINE.
TONIGHT WE TRACK RUSSIAN OIL TANKERS FLOUTING THOSE SANCTION SANCTIONS. >> SO LET'S BE HONEST, THIS IS
NOT THE NOSEDIVE I PREDICTED TWO YEARS AGO. [ STOPWATCH TICKING ] >>> A BIG ONE.
>> BEING A SURFMAN IS SOMETIMES COMPARED TO BEING A NAVY S.E.A.L. OR IN ARMY SPECIAL FORCES, BUT IN TRUTH, THIS IS A
MORE EXCLUSIVE CLUB, ISN'T IT? >> NICE REACH, JOSH. GET HIM ONBOARD. >> IT IS.
THERE'S SMALL NUMBER OF US. >> WE'RE TRAINING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE A HUMAN LIFE, IT'S ALL THE MOTIVATION
YOU NEED. [ STOPWATCH TICKING ] >> I'M LESLEY STAHL. >> I'M BILL WHITAKER.
>> I'M ANDERSON COOPER. >> I'M SHARYN ALFONSI. >> I'M JON WERTHEIM. >> I'M CECILIA VEGA.
>> I'M SCOTT PELLEY. THOSE STORIES AND MORE TONIGHT ON "60 MINUTES". >>> WITH NINE DAYS UNTIL
ELECTION DAY, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS STEPPED UP HIS ATTACKS ON THE BIDEN/HARRIS ADMINISTRATION'S RECORD ON
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND PLEDGED THAT, IF ELECTED, HE'LL CONDUCT THE LARGEST DEPORTATION IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
THERE ARE MORE THAN 11 MILLION UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES, ABOUT 3% OF THE POPULATION.
NEARLY 80% OF THEM HAVE LIVED IN THE COUNTRY FOR A DECADE OR MORE. HOW REALISTIC IS THIS MASS
DEPORTATION CAMPAIGN PROMISE? WHAT WOULD BE THE HUMAN AND FINANCIAL COST? WE TOOK THESE QUESTIONS TO ONE
OF THE PEOPLE DONALD TRUMP HAS SAID WOULD JOIN HIM IF HE WINS A SECOND TERM, TOM HOMAN, WHO LED IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT DURING
THE FIRST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WHEN THOUSANDS OF MIGRANT CHILDREN WERE SEPARATED FROM THEIR PARENTS AT THE BORDER.
>> I HEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, YOU KNOW, THE TALK OF A MASS DEPORTATION IS RACIST. IT'S -- IT'S -- IT'S THREATENING
TO IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY. IT'S NOT THREATENING TO THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY. IT SHOULD BE THREATENING TO THE
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY. BUT ON THE HEELS OF AN HISTORIC ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CRISIS. THAT HAS TO BE DONE.
>> HOW YOU DOING. >> Reporter: AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION THIS SUMMER, TOM HOMAN WAS THE PROUD PITCHMAN
OF MASS DEPORTATION. >> I GOT A MESSAGE TO THE MILLIONS OF ILLEGAL ALIENS THAT JOE BIDEN'S RELEASED IN OUR
COUNTRY, YOU BETTER START PACKING NOW. >> Reporter: OVER THREE DECADES HE WORKED HIS WAY UP FROM BORDER
PATROLMAN TO ACTING DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, THE AGENCY KNOWN AS I.C.E., DURING THE FIRST YEAR
AND A HALF OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. THIS ELECTION CYCLE FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS MENTIONED
MASS DEPORTATION AT NEARLY EVERY RALLY. >> WE WILL BEGIN THE LARGEST DEPORTATION OPERATION IN THE
HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY BECAUSE WE HAVE NO CHOICE. >> Reporter: WHAT WOULD THE LARGEST DEPORTATION IN AMERICA
HISTORY LOOK LIKE TO YOU? >> WELL, LET ME TELL YOU WHAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE FIRST. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A -- A MASS
SWEEP OF NEIGHBORHOODS. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE BUILDING CONCENTRATION CAMPS. I'VE READ IT ALL.
IT'S RIDICULOUS. >> BUT IF MASS DEPORTATION IS NOT GOING TO BE, AS YOU SAID, MASSIVE SWEEPS AND CONCENTRATION
CAMPS -- >> IT WILL BE CONCENTRATED. >> WHAT IS IT? >> THEY'LL BE TARGETED ARRESTS.
WE'LL KNOW WHO WE'RE GOING TO ARREST, WHERE WE'RE MOST LIKELY TO FIND THEM BASED ON NUMEROUS YOU KNOW, INVESTIGATIVE
PROCESSES. >> HERE'S OUR MESSAGE. >> Reporter: FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RUNNING MATE J.D. VANCE
SAID IT WOULD BE REASONABLE TO DEPORT A MILLION PEOPLE A YEAR. TRUMP'S TOP IMMIGRATION ADVISER STEPHEN MILLER TOLD A
CONSERVATIVE AUDIENCE THAT DEPORTEES WOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE COUNTRY IN A MASSIVE MILITARY AIR OPERATION.
>> SO YOU GRAB ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND THEN YOU MOVE THEM TO THE STAGING GROUND AND THAT'S WHERE THE PLANES ARE
WAITING FOR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO THEN MOVE THOSE ILLEGALS HOME. YOU DEPUTIZE THE NATIONAL GUARD
TO CARRY OUT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. >> STEPHEN MILLER SAID THAT THIS WILL INVOLVE LARGE-SCALE RAIDS.
>> HE -- I DON'T USE THE TERM "RAIDS, BUT YOU'RE PROBABLY TALKING ABOUT WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS, WHICH
THE ADMINISTRATION PRETTY MUCH STOPPED. >> WORKPLACE ENFORCEMENT, THAT'S A ROUNDUP.
>> AND THAT'S GOING TO BE NECESSARY. WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS JUST NOT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO'S
WORKING ILLEGALLY IN THE COUNTRY AND COMPANIES THAT HIRE THEM THAT'S GOING TO UNDERCUT THEIR COMPETITION THAT HAS U.S.
CITIZEN EMPLOYEES. IT'S WHERE WE FIND A LOT OF TRAFFICKING CASES, YOU KNOW, WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO ARE
FORCED INTO FORCED LABOR TO PAY OFF THEIR SMUGGLING FEES. >> Reporter: A STUDY BY THE AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL
FOUND THAT MASS DEPORTATION COULD RESULT IN THE REMOVAL OF MILLIONS OF CONSTRUCTION, HOSPITALITY AND AGRICULTURE
$1.7 TRILLION. >> CAN YOU JUST LIMIT IT TO CRIMINALS AND NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT, THOUGH.
>> IF I'M IN CHARGE OF THIS, MY PRIORITIES ARE PUBLIC SAFETY THREATS AND NATIONAL SECURITY THREATS FIRST.
>> FIRST IMPLIES OTHERS FOLLOW, THOUGH, RIGHT? >> ABSOLUTELY. SO GAME THAT OUT FOR ME.
>> IT'S NOT OKAY TO ENTER A COUNTRY ILLEGALLY, WHICH IS A CRIME. THAT'S WHAT DRIVES ILLEGAL
IMMIGRATION, WHEN THERE'S NO CONSEQUENCES. THE BIDEN/HARRIS ADMINISTRATION HAS PROVEN THIS, YOU CAN GET TO
THE BORDER, TURN YOURSELVES IN, GET RELEASED WITHIN 24 HOURS. >> SO YOU'RE CARRYING OUT A TAGETED ENFORCEMENT OPERATION.
GRANDMA'S IN THE HOUSE, SHE'S UNDOCUMENTED, DOES SHE GET ARRESTED TOO? >> IT DEPENDS.
>> WHICH. >> LET THE JUDGE DECIDE. WE'RE GOING TO REMOVE PEOPLE THAT A JUDGE'S ORDER DEPORTED.
>> Reporter: HOMAN'S SUGGESTION THAT GRANDMA MIGHT FACE ARREST WOULD MARK A MAJOR SHIFT IN POLICY.
UNDER PRESIDENT BIDEN, I.C.E. IS MOSTLY TARGETING THOSE DEEMED NATIONAL SECURITY OR PUBLIC SAFETY THREATS, AND PEOPLE WHO
JUST CROSSED THE BORDER ILLEGALLY. THE MAJORITY OF THE 4 MILLION DEPORTATIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAVE OCCURRED AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER, WHERE AN UNPRECEDENTED INFLUX OF MIGRANTS CREATED SCENES OF
CHAOS, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AND ONE OF VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS' BIGGEST POLITICAL VULNERABILITIES.
HOMAN SAYS MASS DEPORTATION IS THE SOLUTION. >> HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD BE DEPORTED?
>> THAT'S -- YOU CAN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION. >> WHY NOT? >> HOW MANY OFFICERS DO I HAVE?
>> IS THERE A WRITTEN PLAN ON THIS? >> NOT THAT I KNOW OF. >> IF THERE'S NO MEMO, IF
THERE'S NO PLAN, IS THIS FULLY BAKED? >> WE'VE DONE IT BEFORE. >> BUT NOT A DEPORTATION OF THIS
SCALE. >> I.C.E. IS VERY GOOD AT THESE OPERATIONS. THIS IS WHAT THEY DO.
>> Reporter: TO SEE WHAT THEY DO, WE WENT TO SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND, A SUBURB OF WASHINGTON, D.C., WHERE EARLIER
THIS MONTH, I.C.E. AGENTS GATHERED IN A PARKING LOT BEFORE DAWN. IT'S WHAT I.C.E. DOES EVERY DAY,
AND HAS BEEN DOING FOR MANY YEARS. >> HEY, GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. >> Reporter: THEIR TASK THIS
MORNING, LOCATE AND ARREST UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WITH CRIMINAL HISTORIES INCLUDING ASSAULT, ROBBERY, DRUG AND GUN
CONVICTIONS. >> THIS MORNING OUR TARGET IS GOING TO BE -- >> Reporter: IDENTIFIED BY
I.C.E. AS A THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY. >> OKAY, LET'S ROLL. >> Reporter: MATT ELLISTON,
DIRECTOR OF I.C.E.'S BALTIMORE FIELD OFFICE, TOLD US THE GOAL WAS TO CATCH THE FIRST TARGET BY SURPRISE.
>> YOU'VE BEEN WATCHIN' HIM? YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW HIS ROUTINE? >> YEAH, WE KNOW HIS ROUTINE. WE'VE BEEN WATCHING HIM FOR A
COUPLE DAYS. >> WAIT UNTIL HE GETS IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. >> Reporter: SURE ENOUGH, A
WHITE VAN SOON APPEARED TO PICK HIM UP, BUT THEY DIDN'T GET VERY FAR. >> HEY, HOW YOU DOIN'?
WHAT YOU GOT IN YOUR HAND? WHAT DID YOU JUST PUT DOWN? >> Reporter: THE MAN THEY ARRESTED WAS A 24-YEAR-OLD
GUATEMALAN WITH AN ASSAULT CONVICTION, WHO HAD BEEN ORDERED DEPORTED BY A JUDGE FIVE YEARS AGO.
THE I.C.E. AGENTS DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VAN WAS ALSO IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY. THEY TOLD US HE'D BEEN DEPORTED
ONCE BEFORE. >> HE HAS NO CRIMINAL RECORD, HE WAS PICKING UP HIS EMPLOYEE TO GO TO WORK.
IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO WASTE A DETENTION BED ON SOMEONE LIKE THAT WHEN WE HAVE OTHER FELONS TO GO OUT AND GET TODAY.
>> A LOT OF FOLKS MIGHT HEAR YOU AND SAY, LIKE, "HOLD ON, YOU'VE GOT AN UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT WHO COMES FACE TO FACE WITH
I.C.E., WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR DEPORTING FOLKS FROM THIS COUNTRY, AND YOU LET HIM GO?" >> WE UTILIZE IMMIGRATION LAW TO
ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY. IT'S NOT TO JUST AIMLESSLY ARREST ANYONE WE COME ACROSS, RIGHT, WE DO TARGETED
ENFORCEMENT AT I.C.E. >> Reporter: IT TOOK A TEAM OF MORE THAN A DOZEN OFFICERS SEVEN HOURS TO ARREST SIX PEOPLE, AND
THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE MANY HOURS SPENT SEARCHING FOR THEM. >> OH, MY GOD. >> SO, HOW WOULD IT EVEN BE
POSSIBLE THEN FOR I.C.E. TO ARREST A MILLION PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY IF THAT MASS DEPORTATION PLAN WERE TO TAKE EFFECT?
>> I COULD SAY HERE IN MARYLAND, WE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO RESOURCE OR FIND THE -- FIND THAT AMOUNT OF DETENTION, WHICH
WOULD BE OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE, RIGHT? AND JUST THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THAT WOULD COST IN ORDER TO
DETAIN EVERYBODY, YOU KNOW, IT BE, YOU KNOW AT -- AT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE LEVEL OF FINANCING.
>> IT'S INSANE TO THINK ABOUT IT AT THIS SORT OF SCALE. >> Reporter: JASON HOUSER, I.C.E. CHIEF OF STAFF DURING THE
FIRST TWO YEARS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, SAYS IT COSTS $150 A NIGHT TO DETAIN PEOPLE LIKE THOSE WE SAW ARRESTED.
THE AVERAGE STAY AS THEY AWAIT DEPORTATION IS 46 DAYS. ONE DEPORTATION FLIGHT CAN COST A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS.
AND THAT ASSUMES THE HOME COUNTRY WILL ACCEPT THEM, MANY LIKE CUBA AND VENEZUELA RARELY DO.
>> I.C.E. CURRENTLY HAS SOME 6,000 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS. HOW MUCH MANPOWER WOULD IT TAKE TO ARREST AND DEPORT A MILLION
PEOPLE? >> YOU'RE TALKING, 100,000 OFFICIAL OFFICERS, POLICE OFFICERS, DETENTION OFFICERS,
SUPPORT STAFF, MANAGEMENT STAFF. >> Reporter: TRUMP ADVISER STEPHEN MILLER HAS SAID STAFF COULD COME FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES LIKE THE D.E.A. >> THE IDEA THAT YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE THE FBI OR THE MARSHAL SERVICE, OR THE BUREAU OF
PRISONS OR THE SECRET SERVICE OR FEMA OFF OF THEIR MISSION SETS THAT PROTECT -- THAT PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES WILL NOT MAKE US
SAFER. >> I WILL SPEAK TO THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE, OKAY? >> Reporter: IMMIGRATION
ENFORCEMENT REQUIRES SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND LANGUAGE SKILLS THAT MOST MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS DON'T HAVE.
>> THERE'S THE DISCUSSION OUT THERE THAT MAKES IT SOUND LIKE IT'S JUST AN EASY SWAP. >> IT'S NOT AN EASY SWAP.
SO, WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IN, FROM THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, IMMIGRATION LAW IS SECOND TO THE U.S. TAX CODE IN
COMPLEXITY. >> WE HAVE SEEN ONE ESTIMATE THAT SAYS IT WOULD COST $88 BILLION TO DEPORT A MILLION
PEOPLE A YEAR. >> I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S ACCURATE OR NOT. >> IS THAT WHAT AMERICAN
TAXPAYERS SHOULD EXPECT? >> WHAT PRICE DO YOU PUT ON NATIONAL SECURITY? IS IT WORTH IT?
>> IS THERE A WAY TO CARRY OUT MASS DEPORTATION WITHOUT SEPARATING FAMILIES. >> OF COURSE THERE IS.
FAMILIES CAN BE DEPORTED TOGETHER. >> Reporter: MONICA CAMACHO PEREZ AND HER FAMILY WORRY ABOUT
THAT. THEY HAVE LIVED AND WORKED IN THE COUNTRY SINCE COMING ILLEGALLY FROM MEXICO MORE THAN
20 YEARS AGO. >> WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST? >> I THINK OF MY NIECES AND MY NEPHEWS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO
GET SEPARATED FROM THEIR PARENTS. >> Reporter: THEY MADE A LIFE IN BALTIMORE WHERE MONICA, WHO'S
30, TEACHES ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE. >> WE ARE A NORMAL FAMILY, LIKE ANYBODY ELSE, RIGHT?
WE GO TO CHURCH, WE WORK EVERY DAY. WE PAY TAXES. >> Reporter: SHE'S AMONG THE
MORE THAN 500,000 UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS BROUGHT TO THE COUNTRY AS CHILDREN WHO ARE PROTECTED FROM DEPORTATION UNDER
THE DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS PROGRAM KNOWN AS DACA. >> I'M THE ONLY ONE RIGHT NOW
THAT'S, LIKE, PROTECTED, WHILE MY PARENTS ARE NOT, MY BROTHERS ARE NOT. MY BROTHERS HAVE CHILDREN WHO
ARE BORN HERE. SO IF THEY WERE TO GET DEPORTED, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEIR KIDS? AL I HAVE MY LIFE HERE, I THINK
THAT I WOULD TAKE THE DECISION TO GO BACK WITH MY PARENTS, TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. >> YOU WOULD?
>> YES. >> YOU OWN A HOME HERE. THIS IS THE CITY YOU GREW UP. >> BUT, THEY'RE ALSO PART OF MY
AMERICAN DREAM. AND I CAN'T IMAGINE LIVING HERE WITHOUT THEM. >> Reporter: LIKE MONICA'S
NIECES AND NEPHEWS, MORE THAN 4 MILLION U.S.-BORN CHILDREN LIVE WITHOUT AN UNDOCUMENTED PARENT. >> WHY SHOULD A CHILD WHO'S AN
AMERICAN CITIZEN HAVE TO PACK UP AND MOVE A COUNTRY THAT THEY DON'T KNOW? >> BECAUSE THEIR PARENT
ABSOLUTELY ENTERED THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY, HAD A CHILD KNOWING HE WAS IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY. SO HE CREATED THAT CRISIS.
>> Reporter: WHILE HOMAN RAN I.C.E., IN WHAT BECAME ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL POLICIES OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, AT
LEAST 5,000 MIGRANT CHILDREN WERE FORCIBLY SEPARATED FROM THEIR PARENTS, WHO WERE PROSECUTED FOR CROSSING THE
BORDER ILLEGALLY. YOU'VE BEEN CALLED THE "FATHER OF TRUMP'S FAMILY SEPARATION POLICY," HOW DOES THAT SIT WITH
YOU? >> NOT TRUE. I DIDN'T WRITE THE MEMORANDUM TO SEPARATE FAMILIES.
I SIGNED THE MEMO. WHY DID I SIGN THE MEMO? I WAS HOPING TO SAVE LIVES. WHILE YOU AND I ARE TALKING
RIGHT NOW, A CHILD'S GOING TO DIE IN THE BORDER. SO WE THOUGHT, MAYBE IF WE PROSECUTE PEOPLE, THEY'LL STOP
COMING. >> Reporter: AND IF TRUMP WINS A SECOND TERM? >> I DON'T KNOW OF ANY FORMAL
POLICY WHERE THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT FAMILY SEPARATIONS. >> SHOULD IT BE ON THE TABLE? >> IT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED,
ABSOLUTELY. >> DO YOU THINK A MASS DEPORTATION PLAN WOULD DETER OTHER PEOPLE FROM COMING TO THIS
COUNTRY ILLEGALLY? >> NO, I DON'T THINK SO. REGARDLESS, PEOPLE ARE STILL GOING TO TRY TO COME FOR A
BETTER LIFE.
>>> WHEN RUSSIA INVADED UKRAINE IT SPARKED INTERNATIONAL OUTRAGE. IT ALSO TRIGGERED A WAVE OF
INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS DESIGNED TO CRIPPLE RUSSIA'S ECONOMY SO BADLY IT COULDN'T FIGHT THE WAR. AND YET, 2.5 YEARS LATER THE
FIGHTING CONTINUES AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND PREDICTS, THIS YEAR, RUSSIA'S ECONOMY WILL GROW OVER 3%, MORE
THAN THE U.S. AND EUROPE. THE ARCHITECT BEHIND THE UNITED STATES SANCTION STRATEGY IS DALEEP SINGH, THE DEPUTY
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS AT THE WHITE HOUSE. WE FIRST INTERVIEWED HIM IN THE
WEEKS AFTER THE 2022 INVASION, WHEN HE TOLD US HE EXPECTED A BARRAGE OF SANCTIONS TO BRING RUSSIA'S ECONOMY TO ITS KNEES.
EARLIER THIS MONTH, WE WENT TO WASHINGTON TO ASK DALEEP SINGH ABOUT THOSE EARLY PREDICTIONS OF A NOSEDIVE, AND HE TOLD US
SOMETHING WE DON'T HEAR VERY OFTEN ON "60 MINUTES." >> SO LET'S BE -- LET'S BE HONEST.
THIS IS NOT THE NOSEDIVE THAT I PREDICTED TWO YEARS AGO. BUT, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY SHOULD MISTAKE RUSSIA'S REBOUND
WITH RESILIENCE. ON THE SURFACE, RUSSIA'S ECONOMY MAY APPEAR TO BE A FORTRESS, BUT UNDERNEATH THE FOUNDATIONS ARE
FRAGILE. >> Reporter: HOURS AFTER THE INVASION, THE U.S. BEGAN STRIKING THAT FOUNDATION.
AT THE WHITE HOUSE, DALEEP SINGH ANNOUNCED THE ADMINISTRATION'S STRATEGY. >> TODAY WE IMPOSE AN
UNPRECEDENTED PACKAGE OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS AND EXPORT RESTRICTIONS. >> Reporter: WITHIN 72 HOURS THE
U.S. AND ITS ALLIES, BLOCKED RUSSIA'S CENTRAL BANK FROM ACCESSING $300 BILLION IT STASHED AROUND THE WORLD, THEN
FROZE THE FOREIGN BANK ACCOUNTS OF DOZENS OF RUSSIAN BILLIONAIRES, LATER, SEIZING THEIR TROPHIES FOR GOOD MEASURE.
SINCE THEN, 45 COUNTRIES HAVE DIRECTED OVER 5,000 SANCTIONS AT RUSSIAN TARGETS, EVERYTHING FROM DIAMONDS AND SEMICONDUCTORS TO
VLADIMIR PUTIN HIMSELF. AND YET -- >> THE WAR IS STILL RAGING. THE RUSSIAN ECONOMY IS GROWING.
IT LOOKS LIKE SANCTIONS HAVE BEEN A FAILURE. >> NO, NOT AT ALL. SO HE'S TURBOCHARGED GOVERNMENT
SPENDING TO FUEL THE WAR MACHINE. HE'S FROZEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND EDUCATION SPENDING.
AND, YES, THAT'S LIFTED GDP GROWTH, BUT THERE'S A COST. SKY-HIGH INFLATION, ALMOST 9%. NOSEBLEED INTEREST RATES, ALMOST
19%. BOTH ARE CHOKING OFF GROWTH. >> Reporter: BUT THE SANCTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CURB THE
FLOW OF CASH FROM THE KREMLIN'S MOST VALUABLE ASSET. OIL. RUSSIA IS THE THIRD LARGEST
PRODUCER IN THE WORLD, AND THIS YEAR, ITS OIL AND GAS REVENUES ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE 2.6% TO NEARLY $240 BILLION.
WE WONDERED HOW, DESPITE ALL THOSE SANCTIONS, THE KREMLIN IS STILL MAKING SO MUCH MONEY FROM ITS OIL.
WE FOUND THE ANSWER IN AN UNEXPECTED. 20 MILES OFF THE COAST OF GREECE.
>> WE JUST DEPARTED ATHENS. >> Reporter: WE WENT THERE WITH SAMIR MADANI. MADANI RUNS A COMPANY FROM
STOCKHOLM THAT TRACKS OIL TANKERS FOR DOZENS OF INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS, SUCH AS INSURANCE COMPANIES OR SHIPPERS.
WHO WANT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHERE OIL IS MOVING IN CASE OF A SPILL OR ACCIDENT. BUT HE TOOK US TO SEE THIS OIL
TANKER, CALLED THE SPRITE. ITS PART OF RUSSIA'S "DARK FLEET," ONE OF AN ESTIMATED 200 SHIPS THAT MOVE A MILLION
BARRELS OF RUSSIAN OIL AROUND WESTERN SANCTIONS EVERY DAY. >> IT'S QUITE RARE TO SEE THIS VESSEL ACTUALLY PRESENTING ITS
NAME AND IMO NUMBER AND EVERYTHING. >> Reporter: MADANI AND HIS TEAM MONITOR SATELLITE IMAGES,
SIGNALS FROM SHIPS AND PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE GROUND TO TRACK TANKERS. HE TOLD US, ONE DAY, IN JANUARY
2023, HE NOTICED SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS ON HIS DASHBOARD, A TANKER SENDING SIGNALS FROM A PORT IN JAPAN, A COUNTRY THAT
DOESN'T EXPORT CRUDE OIL. >> THAT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE. SO I WAS ABLE TO REVIEW THAT WITH SATELLITE IMAGERY AND SAW
THAT THERE WAS NO VESSEL AT THE PORT. INSTEAD, IT WAS A SPOOF WHERE IN FACT WE SAW THE VESSEL IN
KOZMINO, IN RUSSIA. >> SO THEY'RE ABLE TO LIE ABOUT THEIR LOCATION. >> YES, IN REAL TIME.
>> AND SO THAT ALLOWS THEM TO MOVE WHEREVER THEY WANT TO MOVE. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> UNDETECTED.
AND THAT HAPPENED HOW QUICKLY AFTER THE SANCTIONS TOOK PLACE? >> IMMEDIATELY. IMMEDIATELY.
>> WHEN YOU'RE SITTING ON AT YOUR DASHBOARD AND YOU'RE WATCHING ALL OF THIS, WHAT MAKES YOU KNOW THAT'S PART OF THE DARK
FLEET? >> YEAH. THE OWNERSHIP, WILL CHANGE, THE VESSEL, AGE IS BEYOND 15 YEARS,
THAT'S A RED FLAG. AND SO THESE VESSELS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SCRAPPED AND THEN SOMEBODY MAKES A BID IN THE LAST
MINUTE WITH A -- WITH A MILLION DOLLARS AND GETS TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF THIS TANKER. >> Reporter: THE SPRITE IS ONE
OF THOSE TANKERS, 21 YEARS OLD, IT WAS LAST PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY AND IS REGISTERED TO A SHELL COMPANY IN THE CARIBBEAN.
SO WHAT WAS IT DOING FLOATING OFF THE COAST OF GREECE? >> RIGHT HERE DROPPING AS A DROPBOX.
IF YOU CAN SEE ON HER STARBOARD SIDE OF THE RIGHT SIDE THERE YOU HAVE THE FOUR BUOYS. AND THAT MEANS THEY PLACED THOSE
THERE FOR CONTACT WITH OTHER VESSELS. >> Reporter: OTHER DARK FLEET VESSELS THAT WILL TRANSFER OIL
ONTO OR OFF OF THE SPRITE, MADANI SPOTTED ONE OF THEM, THE ZAMBRA, A MILE AWAY. THESE ARE IMAGES MADANI'S TEAM
PROVIDED OF ZAMBRA MOVING OIL FROM RUSSIAN PORTS ON THE BLACK SEA THROUGH THE BOSPHORUS STRAIT IN TURKEY AND THEN TRANSFERRING
IT ONTO THE SPRITE JUST OFF THE COAST OF GREECE. WE WERE THERE WITH YOU, WE'RE WATCHING YOU KNOW TRANSFER,
TRANSFER, TRANSFER. WHAT WAS GOING ON THERE? >> THE TRANSFERS ARE AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF OBFUSCATION
WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSFERRING OIL. SO, WHEN YOU HAVE A "FLOATING DROPBOX" ACT LIKE THAT, YOU
KNOW, WHERE IT'S ABLE TO TAKE IN ANY KIND OF OIL, AND THEN OUTPUT ANY OTHER KIND OF OIL, IT CONFUSES THINGS.
>> Reporter: THE POINT OF THEIR TANKER SHELL GAME IS TO GET AROUND WESTERN SANCTIONS, SPECIFICALLY A PRICE CAP THAT
WAS SUPPOSED TO LIMIT MOSCOW'S OIL PROFITS. IN 2022, THE G7, WHICH INCLUDES THE U.S., CANADA, JAPAN, AND
FOUR EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, BANNED THE IMPORT OF RUSSIAN OIL. BUT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO RISK A GLOBAL PRICE SPIKE.
SO, THEY ALLOWED RUSSIAN OIL TO CONTINUE TO FLOW INTERNATIONALLY BUT IMPOSED A $60 A BARREL PRICE CAP ON THE PURCHASE OF RUSSIAN
CRUDE OIL. RUSSIA'S WORKAROUNDS ARE PAYING OFF. ALMOST ALL OF ITS CRUDE OIL IS
SELLING ABOVE THE PRICE CAP, IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, RUSSIA'S DARK FLEET HAS MOVED AN ESTIMATED $45 BILLION WORTH OF
CRUDE OIL. AND WHERE IS ALL OF THAT OIL GOING? >> YEAH, MOST OF THE OIL THAT
DEPARTS RUSSIA BY SEA NOWADAYS IS GOING TO CHINA AND INDIA. >> Reporter: "60 MINUTES" ANALYZED FOUR YEARS OF DATA FROM
INDIA'S MINISTRY OF COMMERCE. WE FOUND THE VALUE OF INDIA'S IMPORTS OF RUSSIAN CRUDE OIL INCREASED BY MORE THAN 2,000%
SINCE THE INVASION OF UKRAINE. MUCH OF THAT CRUDE GOES TO AN INDIAN PORT CALLED SIKKA, WHERE IT IS REFINED INTO OTHER OIL
PRODUCTS, SUCH AS GASOLINE. BUT THOSE PRODUCTS DON'T NECESSARILY STAY IN INDIA. SAM MADANI HELPED US TRACK A
TANKER OF "REFINED PRODUCTS" FROM INDIA'S PORT, AROUND THE TIP OF AFRICA, ACROSS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, AND ULTIMATELY
HERE, TO NEW YORK. WE SAW THE SHIP COMING FROM INDIA INTO THE NEW YORK HARBOR. HOW OFTEN IS THAT HAPPENING?
>> IT HAPPENS AROUND TWICE A MONTH, AND THEY BRING IN AROUND 500,000 BARRELS OF REFINED PRODUCT, FUEL.
>> SO, IS THE RUSSIAN CRUDE OIL UNTRACEABLE? >> AFTER IT BECOMES REFINED IT'S UNTRACEABLE, YEAH.
>> Reporter: THE U.S. TREASURY HAS SANCTIONED 38 RUSSIAN "DARK FLEET" TANKERS, BUT SAM MADANI SAYS HE'S IDENTIFIED 170 OTHERS
THAT ARE STILL ACTIVE, MOVING RUSSIAN OIL. THEY'RE NOT DOING IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
THEY'RE DOING IT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. HOW DO YOU STOP THAT? >> FIRST, IDENTIFY THEM.
SECOND, LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY'RE SUBJECT TO OUR SANCTIONS. AND THEN, THREE, DELIVER THOSE
SANCTIONS. ANY PLAYER IN RUSSIA'S SHADOW FLEET NETWORK WOULD BE SUBJECT TO OUR SANCTIONS.
>> WHY NOT DO IT RIGHT NOW? >> WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO BALANCE RIGHT NOW IS, IS TO CONTINUE TO MOVE THE GLOBAL OIL MARKET INTO
BALANCE, TO CONTINUE TO HAVE -- A DOWNWARD MOVEMENT IN THE LEVEL OF INFLATION ACROSS THE WORLD, AND TO SUSTAIN UNITY.
WE CAN'T SANCTION RUSSIA'S SHADOW FLEET BY OURSELVES. SO THERE'S A DIPLOMATIC COMPONENT TO THIS, TOO.
THIS IS ABOUT STAMINA MORE SO THAN IT'S ABOUT SHOCK AND AWE. >> Reporter: THERE'S ANOTHER MARKET THE U.S. IS TRYING TO
KEEP IN BALANCE -- AMERICAN NUCLEAR ENERGY. THE U.S. IS STILL PAYING RUSSIA $1 BILLION A YEAR FOR ENRICHED
URANIUM TO HELP FUEL 94 NUCLEAR REACTORS THAT PROVIDE ABOUT A FIFTH OF AMERICA'S ENERGY NEEDS. IN MAY, CONGRESS TOOK NOTICE AN
AND BANNED THE IMPORT OF RUSSIAN ENRICHED URANIUM. BUT THE BAN WON'T GO INTO FULL EFFECT FOR FOUR YEARS.
DOES THE U.S. HAVE THE CAPACITY RIGHT NOW THAT IT NEEDS FOR ENRICHED URANIUM? >> NO, SO, UNFORTUNATELY, ABOUT
25% OF IT TO 30% HAS BEEN IMPORTED FROM RUSSIA. >> WE DON'T HAVE IT. >> RIGHT.
WE -- WE ARE DEPENDENT. >> Reporter: THAT'S BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES STOPPED MAKING ENRICHARD URANIUM A DECADE AGO.
AMIR VEXLER RUNS CENTRUS ENERGY. LAST YEAR, CENTRUS BEGAN ENRICHING URANIUM INSIDE THIS PIKETON, OHIO, FACILITY.
THE ONLY AMERICAN COMPANY WITH THAT CAPACITY. VEXLER SHOWED US HOW IT'S DONE, THOSE 40-FOOT-TALL CENTRIFUGES
SPIN URANIUM GAS UNTIL IT'S ENRICHARD AND USED FOR GAS. THOSE SQUARES ON THE GROUND THOSE ARE PLACEHOLDERS FOR
11,000 MORE CENTRIFUGES CENTRUS WANTS TO BUILD. AND HOW LONG IN THE BEST-CASE SCENARIO WOULD IT TAKE TO GET
THOSE UP AND RUNNING? >> IT WILL TAKE ABOUT SIX TO SEVEN YEARS TO GET TO FULL CAPACITY.
>> AND TO NOT BE RELIANT ON RUSSIA. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> Reporter: IN RUSSIA,
BUSINESSES QUICKLY PIVOTED. WHEN WESTERN COMPANIES LEFT THE COUNTRY AT THE START OF THE WAR, RUSSIAN VERSIONS REPLACED THEM.
STARBUCKS WITH STARS COFFEE. ZARA WITH MAAG. COCA-COLA, DOBRY COLA. EVEN AUTHENTIC WESTERN PRODUCTS,
SUCH AS THE LATEST iPHONES ARE STILL GETTING INTO THE HANDS OF RUSSIANS. WHEN WE FIRST STARTED HEARING
ABOUT SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA, WE ANTICIPATED SEEING, YOU KNOW, BREAD LINES IN MOSCOW? HAS THAT HAPPENED?
>> IN A WORD, NO. THE MOST GOODS THAT RUSSIANS WOULD HAVE ACCESSED BEFORE THE WAR ARE AVAILABLE NOW.
>> Reporter: RICHARD CONNOLLY IS AN ASSOCIATE FELLOW AT THE ROYAL UNITED SERVICES INSTITUTE IN LONDON AND A SPECIALIST ON THE
RUSSIAN ECONOMY. >> SANCTIONS PROHIBIT THE SALE OF WESTERN CARS TO RUSSIA, MERCEDES OR CHRYSLERS, BUT A LOT
OF THEM ARE STILL MAKING THEIR WAY TO RUSSIA VIA THIRD PARTIES, LIKE, GEORGIA AND THE SOUTH CAUCASUS, OR KAZAKHSTAN, OR
CHINA. NOW, OF COURSE, IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SEND AN AMERICAN OR GERMAN CAR ON THIS ROUNDABOUT
ROUTE TO REACH RUSSIA, THE PRICE OF THAT CAR WHEN IT'S SOLD IS MUCH HIGHER THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE WAR.
BUT A LOT OF RUSSIANS WITH A LOT OF MONEY IN THEIR POCKET WHO ARE PREPARED TO PAY THAT HIGHER PRICE.
THERE'S AN INCENTIVE FOR LOTS OF RUSSIAN SMALL BUSINESSES TO ACQUIRE GOODS ON FOREIGN MARKETS FROM SANCTIONING COUNTRIES,
BRING THEM BACK TO RUSSIA AND SELL THEM AT A VERY HEALTHY MARKUP. >> SO EVADING SANCTIONS HAS
BECOME GOOD BUSINESS IN RUSSIA. >> IT'S BECOME A BUSINESS, SECTOR OF ITS OWN IN RUSSIA, YES.
>> WHAT KIND OF BUSINESSES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? >> SOME PEOPLE ARE SELLING GOODS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY SANCTIONED.
THEY'RE PRODUCING THEM AT HOME. THE NUMBER OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES REGISTERED IN RUSSIA IS AT AN
ALL-TIME HIGH. BEFORE THE WAR RUSSIA HAD A BIG PROBLEM, IT WASN'T INVESTING ENOUGH.
BUT SINCE THE WAR BEGAN THE SINGLE BIGGEST SOURCE OF INVESTMENT IS IN TRADE AND LOGISTICS.
>> IT ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE, FROM AN ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE, THAT THE WAR'S THE BEST THING THAT'S HAPPENED TO RUSSIA.
>> IT CERTAINLY CHANGED THE ECONOMIC TRAJECTORY. THIS IS THE FASTEST ITS GROWN FOR A CONSECUTIVE PERIOD IN OVER
A DECADE AND A HALF. WHETHER THEY CAN SUSTAIN THAT OVER TIME IS, OF COURSE, THE BIG QUESTION.
IT'S POSSIBLE THAT MAY CONFOUND EXPECT
[ STOPWATCH TICKING ] >>> THE SPOT WHERE THE COLUMBIA RIVER SPILLS INTO THE PACIFIC OCEAN AT THE BORDER BETWEEN
OREGON AND WASHINGTON STATE IS WHERE LEWIS AND CLARK ENDED THEIR JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY IN 1805, WITH CLARK WRITING IN HIS
JOURNAL, "OCEAN IN VIEW! OH JOY." BUT IT'S NOT ALL JOY. IN FACT, IT'S ONE OF THE MOST
DANGEROUS INLETS IN AMERICA. A HIGH-PRESSURE TORRENT OF WATER POURS OUT OF THE HUGE RIVER'S MOUTH AND RUNS RIGHT INTO WAVES
THAT HAVE BEEN MOVING ACROSS THE PACIFIC FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES. IT'S PRECISELY BECAUSE OF THIS POWERFUL AQUATIC COLLISION THAT
ELITE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD COME TO THIS PLACE ONCE EACH YEAR, DETERMINED TO EARN THE COVETED
CERTIFICATION AS SURFMEN. >> ON THE BOW. >> HERE COMES A BIG ONE. >> WATCH YOUR HEAD.
COME TO STARBOARD. >> Reporter: ON A WET FEBRUARY AFTERNOON, WE'RE ONBOARD A 47-FOOT U.S. COAST GUARD MOTOR
LIFEBOAT WITH CHIEF ERIC CEALLAIGH AT THE HELM, DRIVING THROUGH BREAKING SURF BARELY A HUNDRED YARDS OFF THE BEACH.
>> I HAVE ANOTHER SWELL RIGHT UP HERE. >> AND ANOTHER ONE RIGHT BEHIND THAT.
>> EXACTLY. >> Reporter: AT THE TIME, CEALLAIGH WAS CHIEF INSTRUCTOR AT THE COAST GUARD'S NATIONAL
MOTOR LIFEBOAT SCHOOL. THIS WAS THE FIRST DAY OF "CLASS," AND THE THREE STUDENTS ON HIS BOAT WERE STUDYING HIS
EVERY TURN OF THE WHEEL AND CALLING OUT APPROACHING SWELLS. >> YOU GOT A SADDLE, STARBOARD BOW.
>> HERE WE GO. HERE WE GO. >> Reporter: SIX MORE TRAINEES WERE ON TWO OTHER BOATS WITH
OTHER INSTRUCTORS. CEALLAIGH SAYS EVERYONE IS HERE BECAUSE THIS PLACE, AT THE MOUTH OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER,
CONSISTENTLY HAS SOME OF THE WORST WEATHER AND HIGHEST SEAS IN AMERICA. >> WE EXPOSE THEM TO A
TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SURF CONDITIONS OVER FOUR WEEKS. MORE SO THAN THEY'D GET OVER YEARS OUT IN THEIR OWN UNIT.
>> MORNING SHIPMATES. HOW ARE WE? >> Reporter: FIRST THING THAT MORNING, TIM CROCHET, COMMANDING
OFFICER OF THE LIFEBOAT SCHOOL, HAD WELCOMED THIS YEAR'S CLASS OF NINE STUDENTS. >> AND I PROMISE YOU THE
INSTRUCTORS BEHIND ME ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU WORLD-CLASS INSTRUCTION, AND THEY'RE GOING TO HELP YOU BECOME A BETTER
MOTOR LIFEBOAT OPERATOR, AND WE'RE GOING TO GET YOU CLOSER AND CLOSER TO CERTIFYING AS A SURFMAN.
>> Reporter: "CERTIFYING AS SURFMAN." THAT'S THE GOAL OF EACH OF THESE STUDENTS, AND THE DREAM OF
THOUSANDS OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD. >> BEING A SURFMAN IS SOMETIMES COMPARED TO BEING A NAVY
S.E.A.L. OR IN THE ARMY SPECIAL FORCES. BUT IN TRUTH, THIS IS A MORE EXCLUSIVE CLUB, ISN'T IT?
>> CURRENTLY WE HAVE ABOUT 130 ACTIVE DUTY SURFMEN RIGHT NOW. >> OUT OF HOW MANY MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD?
>> I THINK THE COAST GUARD'S RIGHT AROUND 40,000 PEOPLE. >> 40,000 PEOPLE AND 100 SURFMEN, SO THAT'S A PRETTY
EXCLUSIVE CLUB. >> IT IS. THERE'S A SMALL NUMBER OF US. >> Reporter: CERTIFYING AS A
SURFMAN MEANS THE COAST GUARD TRUSTS YOU TO DRIVE A LIFEBOAT ON THE MOST CHALLENGING RESCUE MISSIONS.
IN 20-FOOT BREAKING WAVES AND 50-KNOT WINDS. AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE SCHOOL IS A DISPLAY OF EVERY SURFMAN
MEDALLION CALLED A "CHECK," EVER EARNED. >> SO HOW FAR BACK DOES THIS GO? >> IT GOES BACK TO 1872.
>> Reporter: THAT'S WHEN THE U.S. LIFE-SAVING SERVICE BEGAN SAVING MARINERS IN DISTRESS. IT BECAME THE COAST GUARD IN
1915. AND NOW OPERATES 20 "SURF STATIONS" WHERE RESCUES MAY HAVE TO BE MADE IN BREAKING WAVES.
ON AVERAGE, THE COAST GUARD MAKE MORE THAN 5,000 RESCUES A YEAR. >> WHERE IS YOURS? >> MINE IS RIGHT BACK HERE.
IT'S CHECK NUMBER 407. >> Reporter: CHIEF INSTRUCTOR ERIC CEALLAIGH, WHOSE BOAT WE WERE ON, WEARS HIS SURFMEN
NUMBER. >> I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A TATTOO. >> I DO.
I DO. I -- I HAVE MY SURFMAN NUMBER. I'M SURFMAN 545. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S VERY,
VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. >> Reporter: AT THE OPENING SESSION OF THE MOTOR LIFEBOAT SCHOOL, CHIEF CEALLAIGH READ THE
COAST GUARD'S SURFMAN'S "CREED" ALOUD. >> I WILL NEVER UNNECESSARILY JEOPARDIZE MYSELF, MY BOAT, OR
MY CREW, BUT WILL DO SO FREELY TO RESCUE THOSE IN PERIL. >> Reporter: AND HE TOLD THE STUDENTS THEY'D EACH NEED TO
HAVE THE CREED MEMORIZED BEFORE THE FOUR-WEEK COURSE WAS OVER. >> IT TAKES A LOT TO GET THERE. IT TAKES -- A PERSON -- A
SPECIAL TYPE OF PERSON, WILLING TO PUT THEMSELVES INTO THOSE SITUATIONS TO WHERE YOU'RE LOOKING UP AT A 20-FOOT BREAKIN'
SEA AND YOU'RE LIKE, "I WANT TO DO THIS. I WANT TO KEEP TRAINING IN THIS."
>> Reporter: THIS YEAR'S CLASS WAS ALL MALE, BUT THERE ARE NEARLY A DOZEN FEMALE SURFMEN. MOST CANDIDATES COME HERE FIRST
FOR A BASIC COURSE, THEN HEAVY WEATHER AND FINALLY THIS SURF CLASS. DEREK SAMUELSSON, TRENTON
CAMPBELL, AND JOSHUA SLAUGHTER ARE THE THREE TRAINEES ON ERIC CEALLAIGH'S BOAT. >> MOST OF US ARE GOING TO BE
PUSHING PRETTY CLOSE TO FOUR YEARS WHEN WE GET CERTIFIED. THAT'S ALMOST A COLLEGE DEGREE WORTH OF TRAINING IN DRIVING
THESE BOATS. >> IT'S SOMETHING NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE GET TO DO. >> NOT THAT THEY GET TO DO IT,
BUT THAT THEY ACHIEVE IT. >> THAT THEY ACHIEVE IT, YES. >> WE COME HERE, OUR ONLY JOB IS TO LEARN AND DRIVE IN THE SURF.
SO IT'S -- IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. >> THIS IS A REPRESENTATION OF THE MOUTH OF THE COLUMBIA.
>> Reporter: JEFF SMITH IS THE CURATOR OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER MARITIME MUSEUM, WHICH HAS A GIANT MAP ILLUSTRATING HOW THE
MOUTH OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER HAS EARNED THE TITLE "GRAVEYARD OF THE PACIFIC." >> ALL THESE LITTLE BOATS THAT
YOU SEE HERE ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SHIPWRECKS THAT HAVE OCCURRED. >> ALL OF THESE, OVER WHAT
PERIOD OF TIME? >> YEAH. WE HAVE 50 OF THEM NUMBERED. BUT THERE'S MANY, MANY MORE.
>> Reporter: THOUSANDS MORE, OVER SEVERAL CENTURIES, WITH AT LEAST 700 LIVES LOST. THE SKELETONS OF WRECKED SHIPS
STILL LITTER SOME AREA BEACHES. >> SO, DESPITE HOW TREACHEROUS THIS WATERWAY IS, IT'S A VITAL ECONOMIC WATERWAY, AS WELL.
>> IT CERTAINLY IS. OF ALL THE GRAIN EXPORTED FROM THE UNITED STATES, JUST OVER 40% GOES OUT THE COLUMBIA RIVER.
>> Reporter: EVERY COMMERCIAL SHIP COMING INTO THE RIVER MUST HAVE A LOCAL PILOT COME ON BOARD TO GUIDE IT.
THIS VIDEO SHOWS HOW PERILOUS IT CAN BE JUST TO GET THAT PILOT ONTO ONE OF THOSE SHIPS. IMAGINE THE DANGERS FACED BY
COAST GUARDSMEN TRYING TO RESCUE A SHIP OR SAILBOAT OR FISHING BOAT THAT'S IN TROUBLE. >> I'M ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT, I
DON'T KNOW IF STARSTRUCK IS THE WORD, OR AWESTRUCK, WHEN I'M IN THE PRESENCE OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR COAST GUARD.
BECAUSE THE JOB THEY DO IS JUST AMAZING. IT'S INCREDIBLE. THEY'RE AN INCREDIBLE GROUP OF
PEOPLE. >> IT'S SUCH A COOL MISSION THAT WE GET TO DO, LIKE WE GET TO GO DRIVE THESE AWESOME BOATS OUT
AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE PEOPLE ON THEIR DARKEST DAY. >> Reporter: AS HE DROVE INTO EVER-STORMIER SEAS ON THAT FIRST
DAY OF SCHOOL, IT WAS CLEAR ERIC CEALLAIGH WOULD RATHER BE AT THE HELM OF HIS LIFEBOAT THAN JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE ELSE.
>> SO YOU LOVE THIS, HUH? >> I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS. >> Reporter: BUT CEALLAIGH WAS ALSO DEADLY SERIOUS ABOUT
TEACHING HIS STUDENTS HOW TO READ EVERY SWELL. >> WATCH THAT. RUN FROM THAT.
RUNNING, RUNNING, RUNNING. I'M GOING. YOU GOT THAT BEAT. GOT A WINDOW RIGHT HERE, NICE
LITTLE NEARSIDE SHOULDER. EASING OFF, LET THAT COME TO ME. I'M GOING TO GET RIGHT ON THE BACK.
PULL. FOLLOW THAT KEY POINT. THIS IS GOING TO GET SUPER DYNAMIC DOWN HERE, BECAUSE
THEY'RE SHOOTING IN EVERY DIRECTION. >> Reporter: WHEN HE COULDN'T OUTRUN A WAVE, CEALLAIGH
EXECUTED WHAT MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT MANEUVER A LIFEBOAT DRIVER MUST MASTER. >> NOWHERE TO GO.
SQUARING UP. >> Reporter: SQUARING UP IS POINTING THE BOW OF THE BOAT DIRECTLY INTO AND THROUGH A
BREAKING WAVE, SOMETIMES A REALLY BIG BREAKING WAVE. >> WE HIT A COUPLE OF THOSE YESTERDAY WHEN WE GOT THE SPRAY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> AND WE WENT UP, AND IT -- YOU THE BOW WAS UP AND YOU SAW BLUE SKY.
AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU -- YOU'RE DOWN IN A -- IN A HOLE. WHAT'S THE WORST THING YOU COULD DO IN A SITUATION LIKE THAT?
>> THE WORST THING YOU COULD DO IS NOT BE SQUARE TO THAT BREAKING WAVE. YOU COULD HAVE A KNOCK DOWN,
WHICH IS WHEN THE BOAT GOES UNDERNEATH THE WATER, BUT RE-RIGHTS IN THE SAME DIRECTION. OR EVEN WORSE, A 360-DEGREE
ROLLOVER. >> HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED THAT YOURSELF? >> I HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED THE
FULL 360-DEGREE ROLLOVER. I HAVE EXPERIENCED A -- A KNOCKDOWN OR TWO. AND THAT'S WHAT THEY DESIGNED
THIS BOAT FOR. >> Reporter: THAT DESIGN IS SEEN IN THIS DEMONSTRATION VIDEO, BUT OUT IN IS SURF, ERIC CEALLAIGH
WAS SHOWING HIS STUDENTS HOW TO AVOID EVER HAVING TO TEST IT ON A REAL MISSION. HOW LONG BEFORE YOU LET THE
STUDENTS TAKE CONTROL OF THE BOAT? >> SO STARTING TOMORROW WE'LL DO ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION OF
WHEREVER WE'RE GOING TO TRAIN, AND THEN STUDENTS ARE ON IT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE COURSE. HOLD ON.
>> WHOA. >> Reporter: EVERY DAY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS, THE STUDENTS TOOK THE HELM, WITH ERIC
CEALLAIGH SIGNALING APPROVAL WHEN THEY DID SOMETHING RIGHT, AND CORRECTING THEM WHEN THEY DIDN'T.
>> YOU PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE SQUARED UP TO THAT ONE. BUT, ON THE BOW, GUYS. >> Reporter: STUDENTS DROVE IN
EVERY KIND OF CONDITION AND RAN SIMULATED MISSIONS LIKE PULLING SOMEONE, IN THIS CASE, A DUMMY, OUT OF THE WATER.
>> NICE REACH, JOSH. GET HIM ONBOARD. ALL RIGHT, STAND BY TO CLEAR THE RECESS.
>> Reporter: SOMETIMES A REAL RESCUE MISSION CAN SUPPLANT THE SIMULATIONS, AS WHEN THE BOATS WERE MAKING ONE LAST TRAINING
RUN ON GRADUATION DAY 2023. >> MAYDAY, MAYDAY. >> SURE ENOUGH, WE HEARD A MAYDAY, FOR DISTRESS GO OUT OVER
CHANNEL 1-6, THE RADIO FREQUENCY. >> I THINK I MIGHT BE TAKING ON WATER.
HURRY UP. >> Reporter: BY THE TIME THE THREE TRAINING BOATS SPOTTED A WHITE BOAT CALLED THE SANDPIPER
WITH ONE MAN ONBOARD, CONDITIONS HAD GONE FROM MILD TO MAD. >> AT THIS POINT, WE'RE FACING 25, 30-FOOT, 35-FOOT BREAKING
SEAS, 50 KNOTS OF WINDS. IT'S RAINING. HAILING. AND, VERY, VERY DYNAMIC.
>> Reporter: FAR TOO DYNAMIC TO HAVE ANY CHANCE OF TOWING THE VESSEL TO SAFETY. IT WAS ALSO GRADUATION DAY FOR
THE COAST GUARD'S ADVANCED RESCUE HELICOPTER SCHOOL, AND THEY DROPPED A RESCUE SWIMMER NAMED JOHN WALTON INTO THE
WATER. YOU CAN SEE HIM PADDLING FURIOUSLY. >> IT WAS HIS FIRST RESCUE.
AND THEY DEPLOYED HIM. AND HE WAS ABLE TO RETRIEVE THAT INDIVIDUAL OFF THE SANDPIPER RIGHT AS THE 30-FOOT-PLUS FOOT
BREAK ROLLED THAT BOAT MULTIPLE TIMES. >> Reporter: IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE HOW EITHER THE RESCUED
OR THE RESCUER SURVIVED THAT, BUT THEY BOTH DID. >> BUT REALLY, SEEING HOW THE COAST GUARD WORKED TOGETHER AND
HAVE ONE OF THE -- THE COOLEST RESCUES I'VE HAD IN MY ENTIRE CAREER. >> ON GRADUATION DAY.
>> ON GRADUATION DAY FOR THESE FUTURE SURFMEN. >> Reporter: GRADUATION DAY FOR THIS YEAR'S CLASS WAS FAR MORE
PLACID, ALL NINE STUDENTS COMPLETED THE COURSE, AND ALL NINE HAD MEMORIZED THE SURFMAN'S CREED.
>> I WILL, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PURSUE EACH MISSION WITH THE COMMITMENT, COMPASSION, AND COURAGE INHERENT IN THE
TITLE SURFMAN. >> Reporter: THEY DIDN'T ALL CERTIFY AS SURFMEN THAT DAY, MOST HAD TO WAIT TO RETURN TO
THEIR HOME UNITS FOR THEIR COMMANDING OFFICERS TO GIVE THEM THE NOD, BUT TWO OF THE NINE GOT A SURPRISE.
>> BM2 CASEY. BM2 CAMPBELL, FRONT AND CENTER PLEASE. >> Reporter: DORIAN CASEY AND
TRENTON CAMPBELL HAD THEIR COMMANDING OFFICERS IN ATTENDANCE, READY TO BESTOW THE HONOR THEN AND THERE.
[ APPLAUSE ] >> Reporter: IT SEEMED EVERY CERTIFIED SURFMAN ON THE WEST COAST HAD COME AND THEY HANDED
THE COVETED MEDALLIONS, THOSE "CHECKS," TO ONE ANOTHER. >> SURFMAN 494. STATION QUILLAYUTE RIVER.
485. 484 STATION, HUMBOLDT BAY, 450, STATION QUILLAYUTE RIVER, 407 STATION CHETCO RIVER.
>> Reporter: AND THEN TO THE TWO NEWEST SURFMEN TRENTON CAMPBELL ACCEPTED HUGS FROM HIS TRAINERS AND FELLOW CLASSMATES AND THEN
HEADED BACK TO HIS BASE, STATION QUILLAYUTE RIVER ON THE COAST OF WASHINGTON, READY TO DO WHAT HE JOINED THE COAST GUARD
TO DO. >> THE REASON WHY WE ALL WANT TO BE HERE IS THAT DREAM TO SAVE A LIFE.
I THINK THERE'S NO BETTER FEELING THAN THAT. WE'RE TRAINING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE A HUMAN
LIFE. IT'S ALL THE MOTIVATION YOU NEED. [ STOPWATCH TICKING ]
>>> HOW TO REPORT FROM THE GRAVEYARD OF THE PACIFIC. >> THE THINGS I DO FOR MY JOB. >> AT
[ STOPWATCHING TICKING". >>> THE LAST MINUTE OF "60 MINUTES" IS RESPONSE SORD BY --
>>> IN OUR "LAST MINUTE" TONIGHT, A LOOK AHEAD TO OUR PRE-ELECTION DAY BROADCAST, SCOTT PELLEY SHOWS US THE PLACE
WITH ARGUABLY THE MOST COMPLEX AND RELIABLE ELECTIONS IN THE WORLD -- THE UNITED STATES. >> WHY SHOULD AMERICANS HAVE
CONFIDENCE? >> REPUBLICAN BRAD RAFFENSPERGER RUNS ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA. >> EVERYTHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING
ON FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS IS TO BUILD TRUST. TRUST IS THE GOLD STANDARD IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY.
>> ON DAY ONE, GEORGIA VOTERS SMASHED THE RECORD FOR EARLY VOTING. SUNDAY, WE LOOK AT WHY AMERICA
CAN BELIEVE IN THE BALLOT. I'M CECILIA VEGA. WE'LL BE BACK, THEN, WITH ANOTHER EDITION OF "60 MINUTES."