Deadliest Catch

Discovery Channel has announced it will celebrate the late Captain with a special Deadliest Catch marathon.  The first two hours will be a best-of from the series’ fourth season which will include some of Captain Phil Harris’ greatest moments.  The Deadliest Catch marathon will air Saturday, February 20 between noon ET and 3 am ET/PT.  A special tribute show is also in the works, but no air date has been announced.

It has also been learned that a plaque will be dedicated to Captain Phil at the Fisherman’s Memorial in Seattle not far from the very spot the Captain called home.   The memorial serves as a tribute to over 500 fisherman who have given their lives to the sea.

Discovery Channel and exec producer Thom Beers are discussing plans to produce a tribute to “Deadliest Catch” star Capt. Phil Harris.

No deal is firm yet, said Beers, who caught a flight Wednesday to see Harris’ family. But a special is likely, he added and Discovery confirmed.

“He’ll be a big part of the season and the series…But this is a huge loss to the series.”

However whether the Cornelia Marie — which resumed opilio crab fishing with relief captain Derek Ray following Harris’ stroke – will remain part of Deadliest Catch going forward is currently undecided, according to Beers.

“The fate and the future of the Cornelia Marie and crew (are) up in the air…I’m flying up to meet with his sons and figure out what to do going forward.”

Funeral plans for Captain Phil Harris have still not been finalized, however Discovery has confirmed that plans for a public memorial service are in the works, although they have yet to release any specifics at this time.

Finally on the Northwestern’s website a simple  tribute was posted in Phil’s honor..

CAPTAIN PHIL HARRIS
1956-2010

He was called home on February 9th and will forever be remembered…

Sadly the world lost a great person today…

Capt. Phil Harris, one of the signature personalities that made the reality series “The Deadliest Catch” such a gigantic breakout hit for the Discovery Channel, died Tuesday (February 9) at the age of 53. Harris died of complications from a stroke he suffered on January 29.

“Discovery mourns the loss of dear friend and colleague Captain Phil Harris,” a statement from the channel said. “He was more than someone on our television screen. Phil was a devoted father and loyal friend to all who knew him. We will miss his straightforward honesty, wicked sense of humor and enormous heart. We share our tremendous sadness over this loss with the millions of viewers who followed Phil’s every move.”

Jake and Josh Harris, the captain’s two sons, also issued a statement regarding their father’s passing. “It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad — Capt. Phil Harris. Dad has always been a fighter and continued to be until the end. For us and the crew, he was someone who never backed down. We will remember and celebrate that strength. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers.”

Capt. Phil was talking to friends and family today; showing his greatest progress since he suffered a massive stroke one week ago.  It’s been a long and difficult week for friends and family as Phil was medivaced from St. Paul Island and under went surgery.  His doctors are said to be extremely impressed with his rapid progress – which has included breathing on his own, chatting up a storm and regaining feeling in the left side of his body.

Capt. Phil’s sons Josh and Jake have been at this hospital and continue to stay by their father’s side.  Some Bering Sea fishermen have also come by to pay Phil a visit.

Meanwhile, the F/V Cornelia Marie has been back fishing for Opilios.  The season has really just begun, so there’s much more fishing to do.

Great folks from around the world have sent their messages of encouragement and get-well soon greetings – for this, we will always be thankful.  Many cards have been sent and they will all get to Phil as he recovers..

Captain Phil Harris
PO Box 32466
Amarillo, TX  79120-2466

SO many folks have been asking when the season will begins and I have even read on several other sites that Deadliest Catch was even being canceled.  Just to set the story straight, season 6 of Deadliest Catch will be aired starting on April 13, 2010 on Discovery…

UPDATE February 3, 2010: No one ever said Captain Phil Harris wasn’t tough. Today, dad showed some good signs of improvement, squeezing our hands and even summoning his trademark Captain’s bluntness by telling the doctors and nurses, “Don’t f*ck up.” We are encouraged but still very cautious. It is a long road ahead, but its made more bearable and comforting knowing your thoughts and prayers are with us. We are strong because of you — our fans. Thanks and we will continue to update you as best we can going forward.

For those of you who have askedabout sending a get well card to Phil, a family friend has set up an address where cards will be delivered to Phil at a later date…

Captain Phil Harris
PO Box 32466
Amarillo, TX  79120-2466

Just a quick update as there is still not a lot of information being released.  However we know that all of you have been following this very closely and that Phil and his entire family are in your thoughts and prayers.

Following his stroke it has been revealed by sources close to the family, that Phil Harris was placed in a medically induced coma following emergency surgery.  This was help to reduce swelling of the brain as well as aid in his recovery and is not unusual following such critical surgery.  The surgery itself is reported as taking around 12 hours, which is quite extensive although no further details are yet available. 

Officially the latest statement from the Harris family is thanking all of you for your support..
“Josh and Jake Harris thank everyone for their heartfelt thought and prayers. The ‘Deadliest Catch’ community has always been more like family than just fans, and Discovery Channel joins the Harris boys in thanking everyone for their wishes of support. Captain Phil is resting comfortably and is in the care of excellent doctors and nurses. We will update everyone on his progress”