Entry No. 3: Storm Tossed

Sometime in the middle of the Time Bandit’s storm-tossed journey out to the king crab fishing grounds I found myself jarred suddenly awake.  The boat had just been hit by a strong wave and I was having a “moment.” Disoriented, I had a profound sense of needing to know if everything was OK.

As I crawled across my stateroom in the darkness I was reminded that the f/v Ocean Challenger had just capsized sometime during the last 12 hours. I remembered the looks on the faces of the Time Bandit’s captains, Jonathan and Andy Hilstrand, after the mayday and as they closely followed the incident on the radio.  I, too, feel a deep sense of loss for the men who did not survive the vessel’s sinking. I feel my own vulnerability as well. Even as a guest aboard the Time Bandit, I am a committed member of the crew.  I am often confronted with the reality of our situation out at sea.

The Time Bandit seemed pretty normal once I had reoriented myself.  Everyone except Russell, who was on watch, was deep in slumber.  The men were soaking up every bit of sleep they could get in anticipation of the long, hard hours of work ahead. As I approached the helm Russell continued staring straight ahead. Aside from the usual roar of the engines the boat was silent.  Neither of us wanted to break the peace. I looked over Russell’s shoulder at the navigational computer.  We still had 11 hours of steaming to go before we would drop our first string of pots. I looked forward just as our bow impacted another wave and sent spray flying a hundred feet in the air.

Back downstairs I contemplated walking out onto the deck for a second to clear my head of sleep.  As I began to open the sea door I stopped short.  We are all supposed to tell someone else when we go out on deck. Last year, our Time Bandit cameraman Patrick Cummings stepped outside this very door for “just a minute” without announcing his plans to anyone. Within moments he found himself “swimming underwater across the deck” after he had been hit by a wave that was over his head.  He later told me that he had a “moment” himself.   As he fought in the whitewater, he feared that he would be washed overboard and nobody on the Time Bandit would even have known.

As I crawled back in my bunk I thought of how lonely it would be to see the boat steaming away from you with nobody aware that you were in the water.  I thought again of all the men who were lost on the Ocean Challenger and of the other fishermen that have been lost just during my four years in the Bering Sea.  With the sinking of the f/v Ocean Challenger the number of these unfortunate souls has grown to nine men.  I felt around in the dark for my camera, always by my side and ready.  Reassured that everything was as OK as it could ever be aboard a Bering Sea crab ship, I wrapped my arms around my survival suit and headed back to sleep.

Comments

[Lisa]

Deadliest Catch is by far the best reality show on TV. I love all the guys and pray that they stay safe and out of harm's way. Although my favorite is Jonathan of the Time Bandit, he reminds me of somebody very dear to me, that I have lost. I watch the show just to see him and the best thing about him is his personality and looks. It is very couragous what you all do and I think you all deserve a break from the cold, come down to Las Vegas and thaw out for a while... remember what happens in Vegas - Stays in Vegas!!! :-) Love ya all and may god keep you safe on your journey's!

[John Smith]

How is the entry with date April 17 2007 stating that the Ocean Challenger capsized "sometime during the last 12 hours" when in fact the news reports of that are from October 2006???!
What's going on here?

[Kevin Long]

I'm a freelancer in the film industry and have always wondered if the video crew on these boats work for their regular day-rate. I can't help but think my rate might go up just a hair if the phone rang and some producer's asking if I'm available and...oh yeah...we're filming in the freakin Bering Sea...and in the dead of winter. Yeah...OK...I gotta tell ya', I don't see it happening!
KL-Dallas

[terrie stevens]

As the mother of a Bering sea fisherman (this is his second year and he is only 19), I am constantly afraid to answer the phone and hear that my son has been lost at sea..both terror and joy runs through my body every time I see the 907 area code of Alaska..but he loves the job..he calls his boat home..yes, it is dangerous..but that is what most of these people can't stand not doing it..I both love and hate the show..I can somehow feel close to my son as I watch others fighting to bring home the catch..but also, as a mother, hate to see such things as the sinking of a boat, or the cold that I know he is facing..it brings it home to me..thank you for this..I know that he also told me that he is going to be on one of your "podcasts" as you filmed him recently waiting to get on a plane to Dutch, and stuck for days in Anchorage..

Love the show and host.

[Gloria Miller]

The first time I caught Deadliest Catch show was on New Years eve weekend. I couldn't STOP watching!! It's amazing to watch all the deckhands work so hard, no to mention the Captains keeping vigile over the men and catch.

This last weekend it was back and I was a happy camper!!
I'm a 60ish something cheerleader and am hooked now on
this "real life" adventure. No would-be stars, no melodrama,
just honest work and sweat. NO HOLLYWOOD stuff!
Thanks to you Mike Rowe for humor,credibility and adding something to television that we truly respect!
Gloria Miller
Dallas TX

[Mike from the N.A long ago]

A little info. for the producer(s) I'm not sure I agree how the North American was or is going to be introduced but I sure hope it's good. Sten I hope you made us proud, let's have a cold one.....Where's the "Dream Team"?

[CHRISTINA]

I WANT JONATHAN HILSTRAND TO MAKE , MAD, PASSIONATE
LOVE TO ME ....SCORPIO WOMAN IN FLORIDA.