Entry No. 2: Tossing Lines

With the majority of the eight Deadliest Catch vessels rigged with cameras and sound equipment, I finally step aboard the Time Bandit, dragging my own seabags behind me.  I am happy to have drawn the Time Bandit as my assignment this time. To some degree, at least, I understand the Hilstrand brothers, Jonathan, Andy and Neil.  They seem like my brothers already.  The last few nights we have spent together in various bars.  The sincerity and depth of their laughter is still ringing in my head.  I feel welcome here. The Time Bandit is an ideal platform to continue my quixotic quest.

When people discover that I am one of the Catch producers who goes to sea with the ships, they often ask,“How can you do that?”  I quickly answer, “Are you kidding? How can I not do this?” I have been on a quest for adventure and waves since I was a boy.  Where else but to the Time Bandit could my quest lead me?  To date I have only seen seas as big as 40 feet, but I have heard tales of waves over 100 feet high.  Maybe this will be the trip that I will get to see them.

Many of the storms that I have seen out here have been vicious.  Nothing prepares you for the wind -- that part is always beyond imagination.  When we are struck by winds above 60 miles per hour, the ship is adversely affected. Once you have heard the howling of severe winds through the rigging you will never forget it.  The ice is unforgettable as well.  I have had to beat and break ice off the ships and spent countless hours on deck trying not to slide or fall, all while trying to hold a camera still.  I have seen the sea freeze nearly solid and have been forced to drift in the ice pack.  I can truly say that the ice is very dangerous.

There are a few boats in the fleet that I consider "battle boats," i.e., ships that seem to me to be stronger than others.  The Cornelia Marie is certainly a battle boat, one of my favorites.  The Time Bandit is another. She is a schooner, a house-aft boat, wide and steady. The Hilstrands helped their father build this boat.  As I throw my seabags in my stateroom, I load a fresh tape into my camera and push RECORD.  There is no time for delay.  The lines will soon be tossed. The story has already begun.  I look to the horizon with hope.  Out there the waves and the king crab await us.

Comments

[Annmarie Ferro]

You make it sound like such an Adventure that I almost ache to do it myself!!!

[Bill Murphy]

You guys do such a great job! How many are in a camera crew per ship?

[BLo]

Keep up the entries! I'm addicted to all things related to your show!

[Brad Sherwood]

I am truly amazed when watching, the adventure aspect is truly compelling. The risk-reward factor is at the heart of life and I have nothing but respect for every single crab-fisherman out there and the production crew is top-notch. It makes me want to be there, but the lines are probably very long now for first-timers. Oh, and having Big Mike on the mic. was a great decision, he keeps you glued to the tube.
Our prayers are with you all, Take Care....

[Mandi]

Hey everyone. To everyone on the deadliest catch, you are guys are awesome. You do a really good job. I love fishin also. Cant wait till summer rolls around so I can go fishin with my dad. Love it on the water. Jake, you are a god. you are so hot, your the best.

Always,
~Mandi~

[Sue]

Do you ever take "fans" on board? I am traveling to Barrow in July. Thanks. Sue

[MEH]

I love this show it is so amazing how they do every in the cold like that

[logan]

you guys r tight keep up the good work

[Mandi]

The show last night was awesome. I hope Blake does a good job his first year as a captain. I dont want him to win the 800 bucks, but I hope he does good.
Jake, it must be awesome having your older brother onboard as a baitboy. you look allot like him 2. Your still better though. lol. I have an older brother also, and i love having the upper hand over something.
Everyone, my heart is with you all. Stay safe and have a good season.

Always,
your biggest fan forever,
~Mandi~

[Nicole]

I love this show!!! I'm a city girl who's a vegetarian. I've never had crab and have no idea what it tastes like. However this show has captured my attention. It's so exciting and I love to watch...stay safe..prayers are with you all!

A faithful fan!!

Nikki/Nicole

[Margaret]

What is the name of the show's theme song, please???

[J]

Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi

[jenn]

I just wanted to say all of you camara guys do a wonderful job!!! I love the great work that you do. Wonderful!

[Bob KIng]

Great Great show to watch. I admire everyone of you for what it takes.

[Chris]

You guys a so tough. I hope you make a fortune cos you deserve it. Be safe. Catch a million crabs.

B Cool

Chris

A fellow Fisherman in the north sea. Scotland.

[Greg Puma]

Very interesting show. Hard work but rewarding. Great food. How long does the season last?

[Greg Puma]

Very interesting show. Hard work but rewarding. Great food. How long does the season last?

[Doug Stanley]

Hey Everyone,
Here are some answers to the questions you have asked above.

How many camera/crew on each boat?
Usually we have two 1) a producer who also operates camera and 2) a camera operator who also produces. In general this set up divides some of the work, but both the producer and the camera operator ask questions and delve into story. Both love to shoot amazing images. I can't tell you how much fun I have looking at images used in the promos and show open. I know those shots on another level. I feel our team in those materials.

Do we sometimes take fans onboard?
Actually, every time we go to sea we take millions onboard. It is a big honor for us to represent the fans out there.
To date we have never taken anyone onboard other than our own crew.

How long is the season?
Well that depends. Are you asking how long our trips on the boats are. Kings: usually a couple of weeks Opies: usually three weeks or more. At least that is how it has been for me. Zac McFarlane just returned home a few days ago. He has spent some serious time this year Producing and shooting on the Cornelia Marie. I think he was out for 3 months this year. Ah the CM, what a boat! what a crew!...just don't ever let Dave drive your rental car!

Various Jake questions.
I think you girls are onto something. You should get yourself a dingy and stalk him. He'd like that. (officially: just joking)

I also like the posts from the fishermen in other seas. I have met many of you now. I think that these "catch" fishermen represent all of you in some way. I know that all of your jobs have common elements with crab fishing. I have never heard of an easy fishing job, that's for sure!

Did I mention that the Lobster show is gunna rock this year?

[Anna]

First, let me say I think you all do an awesome job filming this show.

Second, I would like to ask: How are the boats that are filmed chosen? Meaning, do they volunteer to have a film crew on? Are the captains compensated for this?

[Joanie]

I watch the show every chance I get! I love it! I find it very interesting, fascinating, scarey at times and have so much admiration for those guys who love their job as much as they do. I have so much respect for these fishermen.

Great job showing us their daily routines, their every day living while they are out to sea. So WE can enjoy the crab that they are catching! Thank you. Stay safe and you're in my prayers. (Hirman, you make me laugh! Thank you!)
Joanie

[Joanie]

...........I am also enjoying watching Jake grow and learn through the seasons. Good luck to you! Capt. Phil, love watching you and the crew of the CM, stay safe!

[Ryan]

Hi everyone! I am 9 years old, and I like this show a lot!

I would like to know how you rig the pots with cameras? Those shots of the pots and the holds are really cool...

Thanks for all the hard work, and STAY SAFE!

[Capt. Rex Pendarvis]

Being a shrimp trawler Capt., I can relate to your show. I would put my money on the Hansen's Northwestern anyday. Capt. Phil is always close when it comes to a final count. Hang in there Sig. Love the series.

[Doug Stanley]

I think its great that there are fans who are as young as nine years old, some younger.
Here is the answer to your question.

How do we rig the pots with cameras?
This is an ongoing process. We are always trying to develop the next level of photography for the show. My brother Todd Stanley is one of the guys that helps us push "the look". You might remember his "hook cam" shots and many others.

We are using our own version of a "pole cam" in many instances, much of our underwater footage can be credited to this device. It is simply a waterproof camera on a long pole. We have experimented with other pot shots as well. Some of the shots have been fabulously successful, other attempts have been disasterous and very expensive. One minute you are a hero, the next you are the fool. We have ruined a lot of equipment out there!

Joanie - As I mentioned I am also a big fan of the Cornelia Marie. I have many tales of my adventures with them, some I can share. You might enjoy this one: Captain Phil almost never sleeps. One time he was so tired that Zac got this shot of him tucking a lit cigarette behind his ear thinking it was a pencil. He has an unlit cigarette behind his other ear, two cigarettes burning in an ashtray and he is reaching for another from his cigarette pack. I count five.
Another time I was with him when he swooned and said. I have to get some sleep, if only for just a second". He stretched out on the floor behind his chair, fell asleep for exactly one second, jerked awake and stood up and took the chair again saying to the guys on the hailer "can somebody please tell me what is going on?". I think he went for another ten hours straight - all on one second of sleep!

[Heather]

Hi Guys, just wanted to say that what you do is amazing. i watch the show every week. The CM is my favortie ship. Capt.Phil and crew always look like they are having fun while doing the most dangerous job. I have to say Jake has really grown since last season. His dream of becoming a Capt is definitly in his future, Not to mention how very cute he is! Keep up the good work guys and ill see you on Tuesday!!