Bristol native Alex Hamel has had front-row seats to two of the most powerful and damaging hurricanes to have slammed the Caribbean this century — first Irma, and now Maria. Commander of a U.S. Coast Guard ship stationed in Puerto Rico, Lt. Hamel and his crew have been working for weeks in and around the U.S. Virgin Islands. They have delivered food and supplies, rescued stranded tourists, provided securty, and assessed infrastructure and damages.