Entry No. 11: Icebound

Ice was forming rapidly on the Time Bandit. I figured that it was time to put down the camera and help the deckhands remove some of it. You have to earn your safekeeping on a ship. I tossed on my iPod, put on some rock 'n' roll, and started swinging a hard plastic sledgehammer to the beat. Over the next several hours, ice, pain and music all flowed together. As I worked, the ice continued to form. It felt like we were losing the battle and this worried me. I had lost a battle with ice before.

The previous winter I was aboard the Maverick when the vessel became icebound. The Maverick was iced up, full of crab and had a stack of pots on deck. Though the vessel’s captain, Rick Quashnick, desperately needed to get his catch back to a safe port where it could be unloaded, he was deeply concerned with storm warnings he had received from the National Weather Service. High winds and heavy freezing spray were forecast.

Rick was agitated and uncertain. Unwilling to face the oncoming ice storm, he surprised everyone on board by turning the boat and heading back into the ice. At the time I thought he was going crazy. Now I can see that he chose the least of two evils. At least we would not have to face big waves within the ice pack.

As the Maverick headed into the pack, all of the deckhands were beating ice off the rails and deck. The propellers struggled with the thickening ice. The sound of their scraping and grating intensified the energy of the moment. Surely we could not afford to break the propellers or lose the rudder. Rick was wild and intense. Some of the deckhands were second-guessing the captain’s decision and the mood on the boat went black. Moments later we were done. The Maverick could go no farther. Captain Rick threw his hands in the air in despair, turned the main engines off, and headed into his stateroom.

Not a single person onboard the Maverick escaped the fleeting sensations of doom. Staring across a frozen sea of ice in near silence, I stood outside on the deck feeling completely helpless as I felt the sting of the increasing north winds upon my face. Little did I know that these same north winds would bring our salvation. They would eventually blow us south, the ice would break up, and we would be free again.

Comments

[Cathy]

WOW That is scary, but strangly it leaves me wanting more, how exactly did the boat drift South, how long did it take, WHERE IS THE REST OF THE STORY !!!!! I can't tell you how much I throughly enjoy reading this journal as I sit in my nice comfy office located on a small tropical island in the Carribean. Kudos to all of you, captains, crew and cameramen alike for telling your story and allowing us to experience something most of us would never have the guts to do, Thank You. Cathy in Cayman

[dennis hackney]

Mortgage banker that loves your show.I may come to Alaska just because of your show.Life is a little more than different,from what I live,Dennis.I LOVE IT !!!!!

[Kim]

I love your journal!! I am always so interested in how the camera crews do their job on a boat that's moving so much. I wish all the guys would keep a journal.

[Jennifer]

Oh my, I agree with the first comment, I NEED the rest of the story! Its like starting a book with a vivid and captivating opening and you have lost the rest of the pages. I love the show. I like many other have a perverse addiction toit. Getting all tense and worried about people that I have grown to care for each episode. My room mate and I watch the show and get all worked up each time a storm comes near, or we see the ice floating. Its amazing to me that a show can cause such an emotional reaction to its viewers. Oh, yes, we have cried too!

[Christine]

Hey Doug, I was the reader who posed the question about the whole Stanley family being out at sea. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!! You and your family keep yourselves safe. As it is nearing the end of the season, I look forward to watching more and reading more diaries in the season ahead.

[Alaina]

I agree that at least one guy from every ship should keep a journal about their trip among the boats! It'd be great to get different perspectives on the boats. Congratulations on your wedding and thanks for bringing us great entries for the fans!

[Lisa H]

My husband and I watch this show every week. We aren't big TV watchers, but this show we never want to miss. For a month, I'm working the night shift, and my husband is getting to watch...I'm so jealous! It's times like this I wish I had tivo!

[Shay]

This show has become amazing addicting to me!!! As someone posted above, you come to care about these captains and their crew. The more I watch, the more I want to visit this dangerous, yet magical place. Today is the first day I've come across this blog. I wish I would've found it before, it's gonna take me days to catch up!! Thanks for a wonderful show!!!

[Susan Frederick]

My husband and I love your show always leaves us wanting more..
Can't wait to see how the Time Bandit fairs. You all are some of the bravest people I know I would not, I could not do your job. God Bless and Good Luck to you all...

[Linda Houle]

Our whole family loves the show. Please keep up the good work and please bring back the Maverick w/Blake and the crew or Donna and Rick too

[Brenton and Jacquelyn]

We live in Australia and watch your show. We really enjoy it and are just amazed at the weather you have there and the fact that you go out in a boat in that kind of weather. Its been a great education, keep up the good work. Would love to hear how the wives and families cope with their men at sea.

[Brenton and Jacquelyn]

We live in Australia and watch your show. We really enjoy it and are just amazed at the weather you have there and the fact that you go out in a boat in that kind of weather. Its been a great education, keep up the good work. Would love to hear how the wives and families cope with their men at sea.

[Ann Gibson]

I live in England and am also totally addicted to the show. I've just found this and it's great to here a camera mans point of view. Would love to come and see it all for myself.