Only the most courageous people dare to travel into the Bering Sea, one of the world’s most dangerous bodies of water. Deadliest Catch is one of the Discovery Channel’s most-watched shows. During crab season, the crews of multiple fishing vessels are followed by the reality series as they go out into the Bering Sea. The series follows the dangerous lives of Alaskan king crab fishermen.
Let’s explore the lives of these fearless, deadliest catch-all captains who lead these powerful crews and maintain the spirit of the Sea.
When did The Deadliest Catch start?
Deadliest Catch debuted in 2005 with the first season on Discovery Plus. Since then, the show has had many spinoffs and specials, such as The Bait, On Deck, After the Catch, and The Viking Returns. In addition, a 2016 television series called Deadliest Catch: Dungeon Cove followed crab fishermen off the coast of Oregon.
Advertisement Who are the Deadliest catch-all captains?
The dramatic docuseries Deadliest Catch is currently in its 19th season, and despite its long history, it never gets boring. Here’s what to know about some of the most popular, deadliest catch-all captains.
1- Captain Sig Hansen of the Northwestern
Sig’s life has taken a dramatic turn in the previous three years due to his multiple heart problems. Despite health worries, Sig is devoted to his staff and is now considering whether to allow his daughter, Mandy, to take over.
2- Captain “Wild” Bill Wichrowski of the Summer Bay
Based on his bio, “Wild” Bill is more like “Mild” Bill today. Throughout the series, the tough-as-nails seaman has had difficulties in both his professional and personal lives, along with health issues.
3- Captain Josh Harris of the Cornelia Marie
Josh’s journey on Deadliest Catch has not been easy. After Josh’s father, Captain Phil, the original owner of the Cornelia, passed away, he and co-captain Casey eventually bought it. They eventually returned to the show a year after their absence during season 13.
4- Captain Keith Colburn of the Wizard
In 1988, Keith began working as a deckhand on the Wizard, and in the early 2000s, he bought the ship. It wasn’t always his intention to lead a life of fishing, though. Before going to Alaska, he was a “ski bum” in Lake Tahoe!
5-Captain Jake Anderson of the Saga
Throughout his life, Jake has faced numerous challenges, such as the passing of his father and sister and a drug addiction. His priorities now are supporting the Saga and raising his and his wife’s children.
6- Captain Casey McManus of the Cornelia Marie
As co-captain of the Cornelia Marie, Casey oversees several boat operations. Since 2014, the third-generation fisherman has been a mainstay on the Cornelia, having entered the business at the age of five.
7- Captain Sean Dwyer of the Brenna A
Sean, the fleet’s youngest captain, is as hardworking and committed as he is “calculating and manipulative.” Even though he briefly worked on the Jennifer A, his primary passion has always been the Brenna.
What is the net worth of the captains of the Deadliest Catch?
For the cast of Deadliest Catch, the risk appears worthwhile. During the three-month crab season (October and January are the busiest months), crew members can make up to $50,000, and captains can reportedly make over $200,000 annually. Not to mention the pay they receive from the Discovery Channel.
Has there been any death of captains on the Deadliest Catch?
Although they are considered to have the most dangerous work, commercial fishermen have not always been the cause of death in the cases reported on Deadliest Catch. Here is the list of deadliest catch-cast deaths:
- Captain Phil Harris: The beloved character departed this life in 2010 following a major stroke. He was 53.
- Blake Painter: In 2006, Blake appeared on Deadliest Catch as the F/V Maverick’s captain. Blake, 38, was discovered dead in his house.
- The crew of the Eagle III: When the Eagle III sank in 2016, Josh Paulus, Danny Matlock, and Blaine Steinmetz perished. The Eagle III made an appearance on Deadliest Catch: Dungeon Cove.
- Justin Tennison: Less than four days after returning from the sea, the 33-year-old was discovered dead in his hotel room in Alaska. His cause of death was revealed by autopsy to be complications resulting from sleep apnea.
- Ross Jones: When he died in June 2022, the Deadliest Catch star was only. From a previous relationship with Chloe, he had a little kid.
- Tony Lara: In 2015, the 50-year-old former skipper of the Cornelia Marie had a massive heart attack while sleeping.
- Nick McGlashan: Nick overdosed at the age of 33, and his death was found in a Nashville hotel room in December 2020. He left two children behind.
- Todd Kochutin: A crew member of the F/V Patricia Lee was struck with a crab pot on board and died in February 2021. Todd passed away at the age of just 30.
- Mahlon Reyes: After Mahlon Reyes’s death was declared in July 2020, the cause of death was identified as “acute cocaine intoxication” a year later. His age was 38.
Wrap up!
The bravery of the Alaskan king crab fishermen who brave the dangerous sea is shown on Deadliest Catch. Sig Hansen, “Wild Bill” Wichrowski, and Josh Harris—deadliest catch-all captains with inspirational tales of bravery and devotion—have been introduced to fans since the show’s 2005 premiere. The series has also suffered greatly from the unfortunate deaths of several cast members. These individuals are among the most courageous sailors, and we are constantly reminded of this by seeing their risky journeys on Deadliest Catch.
If you are a fan of water adventure shows, be sure to check out White Water, Race to Survive, and Secrets of the Octopus.