The Green Boat

January 08, 2008

The North American is Deadliest Catch’s first “green” fishing vessel. It is on the cutting edge of maritime technology with its Gen-Tech engine, designed by the Skaars to use hydraulics to power a backup engine, allowing greater fuel efficiency.  On its trips between Seattle and Dutch Harbor the hydraulic-driven generator can prevent nearly 12 tons of carbon emissions.

As deck boss and engineer, John Skaar, 38, is the man behind the day-to-day upkeep of the North American and its experimental technology. Even in his spare time, he works on the system, hoping it can be used on a larger scale one day. John will be working closely on his green dream boat with Greenhorn Travis Arket, 24, a computer programmer with a taste for adventure. While he has little fishing experience, Travis has worked with the Skaars on their Gen-Tech system and was invited to join the crew because of his computer expertise. But will his smarts help with the crabbing? The well-traveled greenhorn is up for the challenge.

The word from Dutch is the boats are back and preparing for opilio season. The Bering gets rougher and it only gets colder …

Up Next: A familiar face returns.

Comments

[Minarvia]

I wish that John Skaar's idea will catch on with the other fishing boats. It take a trailblazer like this to change a the general thoughts of anybody.

Now, who is this "A familiar face returns" is?

[Carole]

Fascinating. A 'green' boat. Hopefully it works and catches on for practicality for others. Look forward to more news of the big red 'green' boat and gen-tech's advances for all. Are there only 2 brothers or only two fishing.?? How much did it cost to remodel the vessel. How long have they run this 'new' system? Thank you for update on season changes. So now they are all looking for you or still on Cod? Who is fishing for what currently? Are you allowed to list for us please? April is so far away and the crews have become extended families for many of us. We love your coverage and hope updates occur more often if possible. Thank you for great job you are doing.
Carole

[L]

WAY TO THINK GREEN. GO North American!!

[Katie]

That's an amazing idea! April cannot come fast enough! Though I'm a big Northwestern fan, I am looking forward to seeing what this North American has to show us. That engine is pretty cool though! And a familiar face you say?? There are so many boats that I wish would come back! This is just going to make April's arrival even longer!!! Thanks for the updates!

[catmandu]

but i wanna know MORE about this second Skaar brother!!! anybody know how long he's been crabbing/"deck boss/eco-engineer" ?!

i dunno... he might just very well be my new *favorite* crabber for season 4!!!

I think his cap says Ballard on it, do ALL the crabbers live in Ballard or something, gosh!

[DANSKI]

Both John and Sten has been Crabbing for at least 8 years or so you should read the boats bio. Family boat. They are both great guys and the will be wonderful addition to season 4. I'm so happy for these guys. To also pitch gen-tech as the Green vessel. Good luck you Guys.

[Catch_Crazy]

Thanks for the update! Glad to hear that there will be new boats to follow!
I wonder if these "green" boats are safe out there in Bering Sea? Dont get me wrong I LOVE THE IDEA OF "GREEN" EVERYTHING, but these are peoples lives as well!
I am also a BIG Northwestern & Cornelia Marie fan so I hope to see more of them as well! Count down to April is ON!!!

[finesse dyrness]

Boy those Skaar Boy's are looking good it will be great seeing those guy's in action! Have somthing to look for on the NA. (if they run it )tote racing. who needs NASCAR when you have totes on the deck of a boat. BTW the Gen Tech is crazy cool glad they will get a chane to show case it on the show if anything that is reason enough to have them on BUT they are great fishermen and John has got to be one of the hardest working and dedicated individuals that I know and ever come across.

All the best and be safe!

[carl]

The gentech sounds awesome-it's great that the Skaars are bringing brains and environmental consciousness to such a physically demanding profession! Should be a fun boat to watch-family owned and operated, this boat should really capture the essence of this industry and its roots.
Looking ahead while not forgetting where they are from-I am sure the North American will be a dynamic team to watch!!!

[norwegian_footballer]

For all of you who really want to know: Ballard is a subburb of Seattle, Washington. It on the north end of Seattle, north of Lake Union, and slightly West and borders Puget Sound. Ballard was (now not so much so) a Norwegian community. You can still go to downtown Ballard, and walk into Olsens Scandinavian foods, and order norwegian delicacies. John and Sten are Erling's only two sons. We all played soccer together growing up....for many years, John played soccer with Sten until the age of 9 or so...(John is 3 years younger), so he went on to play for a younger team. John and Sten have basically worked on the Erling's boats as long as Erling has owned them, even if not in a fishing capacity (off season maintenance, etc). I think John started fishing for Erling right after he graduated high school....so he has been fishing for probably about 19-20 years.

[norwegian_footballer]

Ballard's connection to the crabbing/fishing industry is:

1) Place where the crab boats are moored in the offseason.
2) Norwegian community, of whom many crabbers of the deadliest catch are 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation Norwegians....
3) Norwegians in Ballard also do Bristol Bay salmon fishing....Sten some times does that, when he is not crabbing.
Salmon fishing is not nearly as dangerous as crabbing so it isn't quite the deadliest catch. :-)

[woasisss]

Sounds like an interesting boat! Can't wait to see how she runs! Green is good.....unless you are a greenhorn...looks like a gorgeous boat!Heres wishing ALL the boats and crew a safe and prosperous opie season!

[Kimberly Lewis]

I am glad to see that there are "Green" boats out there. I hope that it will mean more money in the crew's pocket since fuel costs should be lower. I am glad to see that they are creating environmentally friendly boats that will reak less havok on our waterways. It makes me feel better about eating the seafood that the crews risk their life to catch for us all. Thank you for showing the world that we can always do more to help.

[Nic]

Funny thing....a few years ago when approached to be on the Deadliest Catch, the Skaar family refused.I seem to remember a Skaar member stating that it would be too dangerous to have a camera crew on board and a sellout. I wonder what happened to make them change their minds?

[gail vandyke]

i am interested in knowing how long they stay out per each season?

[Marla P.]

Can't wait to see how the green technology works for this crew. My husband's company, Berendsen Fluid Power, sold the actual hydraulic components to them for the ship. Hope it's a very successful season for this great crew. Best of luck....