Deadliest Catch

It’s the start of the 2008 Opilio season, which only makes the job even more dangerous as the threat of ice???????? build up only leads to an even more hazardous situation. Before the boats even leave Dutch Harbor we hear about a deckhand falling off a stack of pots from a height of about two stories, landing on the rail and killing himself without even leaving the dock. The captains take a moment to reflect on the loss and are reminded of their own mortality before heading out to face the brunt of a powerful Arctic storm.

Before getting underway the Wizard has to take on some more diesel fuel at the fuel dock. With hurricane winds accompanying the storm this is no easy task for the 156 foot long boat as the winds hit her broadside. This pales in comparison, however, to what the boat will face later on in the open sea. Before the season started Capt. Keith decided to fish the boats maximum number of pots. Now facing heavy seas of 20 to 30 feet, the extra weight on board leaves the boat very unstable, a captain’s worst nightmare. Luckily they are able to press on and steam through it.  Their luck changes soon afterwards as they lose their hydraulic systems, leaving them without any working machinery and no way to start fishing their pots.

Over on the Northwestern, Capt. Sig and most of the crew has a bad case of the flu, making a tough job even more miserable.  Regardless, they soon leave port and steam towards the approaching storm.  Making good time, they arrive on the crab grounds ahead of the powerful storm.  So, in Norwegian tradition (Or at least Northwestern tradition) deckhand Matt takes his turn at biting the head off a raw herring for good luck to start the season.  Meanwhile the Time Bandit, with Capt. Andy Hillstrand taking his turn in the wheelhouse, in already pulling up their pots.  The numbers at first are relatively small so Andy instructs his crew to start stacking the pots on deck to be dropped in a another location.  The instruction seems to turn their luck around as the pots begin coming up fuller and fuller.

The luck isn’t as good over on the Cornelia Marie.  After spending around $50,000 to overhaul the engine back in port, it isn’t long when the system begins to overheat.  With few options while out at sea, it appears Capt. Phil will have to make the long trek back for repairs.  Lastly we hear of a worker on a processor having seizures who desperately needs medical attention.  The only option is a rescue by a coast guard helicopter and a transport back to be medivacked to an area hospital.   The only problem is they will need to fly directly through the storm, risking icing and low fuel, putting their patient and entire crew at a great risk.