Northwest Pacific Dark gray, ragged, nimbostratus clouds hang above the darker water, showering the huge, rolling waves with chunky pellets of ice mixed in with torrential rain. Green-gray foam drifts with the waves as the wind lashes them into a raging maelstrom, a deadly peril for any but the larger ships. Large killer whales, ten tons and nearly thirty feet long, float just below the surface as they patiently weather the storm, barely visible except when they blow their warm breath into the cold air. Visibility is poor due to the rain and clouds, making for difficult navigation for those without the proper instrumentation.