Aspiring Opera Singer Mines For 'Bering Sea Gold'

09:26

August 22, 2014

Zeke Tenhoff hits an underwater jackpot. (Image Credit: DCL)

In the annals of scary jobs, Emily Riedel's must be near the top. The 26-year-old is captain of a dredge boat off the coast of Nome, Alaska. She and her crew are looking for gold at the bottom of the icy sea.

It's dangerous work. Getting to the gold requires going deep under the water, and this month a diver near Nome died doing it.

Discovery's hit show, "Bering Sea Gold," has been chronicling the drama of underwater gold-mining. Riedel stars in the show, which starts its fourth season tonight.

Riedel speaks to Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson about her work and her dream to become an opera singer.

As Emily Riedel looks on, Zeke Tenhoff does a cannonball to get things started. (Image Credit: DCL) — As Emily Riedel looks on, Zeke Tenhoff does a cannonball into the icy waters. (Image Credit: DCL)

Guest

Emily Riedel, gold miner and aspiring opera singer in Nome, Alaska. She's star of the Discovery Channel show "Bering Sea Gold." She tweets @EmilyRiedel23.

This segment aired on August 22, 2014.