Meet Captain Sten

December 11, 2007

Age: 41
Hometown: Seattle, Wash.
Years Fishing: 20
Fishing Vessel: North American

As you learned from our previous post, Sten Skaar comes from a very proud fishing tradition.  He learned the business from his dad, Erling, who fished with Sverre Hansen, Sig Hansen’s father. It’s made for an interesting rivalry between the Skaars and the Hansens. In his 20 years of fishing, Sten most enjoys the camaraderie with his crew and working closely with his brother John, the ship’s engineer.  He is extremely proud that he is among a few that can provide a delicacy that is in high demand around the world, and he loves the freedom that fishing affords to pursue his other interests: golf, soccer and travel.

Before king crab season, Sten planned on fishing 100 pots and placing prospect pots at varying depths from 35 – 45 fathoms. We’ll see how this strategy worked for him.

In other news, the pranks just don’t stop aboard the Time Bandit. Andy Hillstrand read that you can make a taser out of a disposable camera, so becoming their own MythBusters, the Time Bandit captains decided to find out. This myth turned out to be confirmed and Johnathan has been tasering his crew ever since.

Next: Deck boss John and the North American’s Gentech Technology

Comments

[PIPHS]

I serious hope that the footage of Johnathan tasering his crew get some airtime! Because I would love to see that and now I see why the Time Bandit is one of the more pouplar boats.

[mt_pockets]

I can't wait for the new season. April is a long time to wait. I am already laughing think of a taser aboard the Time Bandit.

[PIPHS]

And the many means that he can use it, like getting his crew to work when they don't want to it.

[Webdoc]

The Time Bandit crew is always a blast to watch. What I want to know is.... are any of the guys on the crew planning anything to get back at Johnathan.

[Erich]

SWEET! I am looking forward to seeing this new season. It's looking like the best yet. The rivalry between the NW and NA is going to be intense.

I am counting the days :)

[John]

Cannot wait to see the shoot out between Sig and Sten. Sig is personally my favourite, but lets give Sten a chance.

[PIPHS]

Here is what I got from one my myspace contacts that works up in the industry and this what he said about the North American:

I hate to tell you this but the North American was never a realy big producer when it was the derby days. The did O.K. but most of the time they were less than average.

So again what the point in bring them in anyway?

[crabguy]

If they never caught much then why is it that they were allocated more of their own quota (based off the qualifying years remember) than the nw? Thats foremost, and the other is you have no idea what you're talking about.

[PIPHS]

Here is their respected quotas:

F/V Northwestern 335,000 LBS
F/V North America 90,000 LBS

The Northwestern's quota is almost 4 times as big as the North American's.

[crabguy]

From what you just posted up shows that you have absolutely no idea how a quota system works. Crab quota (like others) is a tangible asset which can be traded, sold, leased, caught, etc. Most of the nw's quota is leased quota, they lease it at a 70/30 split (30% going to the boat) as with the North American none of their quota is leased, which means they retain 100% of the price. Time vs reward is much greater in favor of the NA. Might want to double check your "sources" before you go on trying to be the 'super insider' ;)

[PIPHS]

What are you saying, the NW isn't a highliner and that the statments that is on their website is a lie?

[WENDY]

I'm am very excited about the new season. I look forward to it. This show is like a soap opera, but more addictive. Not only does it show bravery for what they do, it gives us comedy, suspense, and competition. I love this show. I would love to actually meet some of these guys.

[norwegian_footballer]

Should be entertaining. Sten was one of my best friends growing up, and he has a lot of charisma which should make for entertaining TV.

[norwegian_footballer]

"So again what the point in bring them in anyway?"

Actually, to my knowledge, Sten has been pursued by Discovery for years. I think it was Sten that recommended Sig when he couldn't be featured, near the beginning of this series.

I am not exactly sure what is coming this season, and I don't want to get Sten into trouble by divulging anything because I have not spoken to Sten at any length about what is coming, but here are some possiblities as to why they are bringing in the North American:

1) Both Hansen and Skaar family heritages and histories intertwine as described in this blog.
2) Both have their fishing roots in Ballard, a subburb in Seattle.
3) Sten and Sig Hansen have known each other and even played on rival soccer teams (related to #1).

Franky, as noted, I think the whole crab industry has gone completely non-competitive, as per the fishing quotas. I don't know if the quota numbers listed above are accurate, but if they are, it is one of the reasons Sten has not been fishing or featured by Discovery in recent years....

I am guessing since the amounts are so tightly regulated by the fishing industry by quotas,...it has taken a lot of risk out of the job....it may no longer be the most deadly catch...but it still looks risky to me, and I wouldn't do it if I had the choice.

[norwegian_footballer]

Just got off the phone with Sten....there's some good practical jokes played by Sten and on Sten. Hope they don't get cut...should be funny.

[Ryann]

ok,i already don't like this Sten guy.he gives me the creeps and he is Sig's rival.this is for Sten:grrrrrrrrrrrr

[Word Dojo]

You didn't lie! When you introduced yourself last night I was a little skeptical so searched for this site and found this picture. It was nice talking to you!

[woasisss]

Sounds like some fun to be had....let's hope it doesn't get cut! Somehow, I see in the future, a bunch of kids taserin each other with disp. cameras.Lets hope not!Can't wait to see all our fav boats and the new boats comin aboard this season!We understand this is a dangerous job, but it is nice to see some fun and commradery between boats and crew! These guys have been doin this for years and know exactly what they are doin, when to have fun, and when to be serious.They got each others back in the long run!Have a great opie season guys and be safe out there! LLL!

[Patty]

I can't wait for the new season to begin! Sitting here watching the marathon today and excited about the show tonight highlighting the new season! I hope Doug the camera guy does his blog again this season. It was so much fun to read a true behind the scenes stories!!! Thanks to all who bring us this show!!!!!!

[Dana]

I Can't wait for the new season.How many do we really have left? Why not have the Sig and Sten Show? Every year so far it was the Sig show, Eric from the Rollo was alot of fun and his crew. He was only on one season because I think people
really liked him. Someone said Sig sold his boat is That true? does anyone know?????

[manda21 in the WV]

I can't wait for the new season to air. It is my favorite show ever and I'm completely addicted. And I will be pulling for Sig and the Northwestern. He's my favorite capitain. I even named my cat Siggy after him! (hey they look alot alike, I couldn't help it!)

[nancy]

I am like the rest of you! I am waiting on the new season. I like Captain Sig and the Northwestern crew also. I have the Northwestern as my wall paper for my PC. I love it!
I think the other captain's and crew's are good at what they do also, and I enjoy watching them battle the cold waves and catch crabs, but I really like Sig.

[bea]

You too? I named my sleestak siggy! I miss that show, Land of the Lost.

[kittykat3]

I don't know how many of you have been following the russian crab debacle that has been in the papers for the last few months, but in my mind Sig has gotten a little too big for his britches. If he is catching so much Alaskan king crab and such a fabulous fisherman, is there a reason that he hooked up with one of the worst Russian crab dealers in the world. He probably should have checked out that guys reputation in the fishing industry before putting his livelihood at stake. Perhaps Discovery should take a look at their "star" and see how it might reflect on the program. Or perhaps we will never see any mention of that nationally, while all of the local fishing industry knows all about him?

[Kit]

I am so excited about the new season. I'm very glad Johnathan of the Time Bandit wasn't seriously hurt. He is my favorite captain by far. Couldn't find a Time Bandit T-shirt anywhere so my son Jonathan went to a web-site where you build your own and made me one. It has Johnathan and the Time Bandit on the front and on the back it has the words, "The bad boys of the Bering Sea" I love my shirt!!! Don't want to rush 2008 but April can't come soon enough for me.