Entry No. 12: Magic and Wonder
One of my favorite things to do on a crab boat is to climb into the crow’s nest on the foremast of the ship. The bow is usually tossing and rolling. Climbing the narrow steel ladder is a challenge all by itself, especially when it is icy. To stand and face the sea in the crow’s nest while waves bash the bow below, sending spray vertically as you arc forcefully through the air, wind in your hair and seagulls as your escort is wild, brash and amazing. It is another of the magic moments one can experience at sea.
Once a killer whale came up to the surface within 10 feet of where I was standing on the boat’s starboard rail. It was matching the speed of the vessel and swimming parallel to it. As I watched in amazement it rolled a bit to its starboard side, exposing its left eye to stare directly into my own. The whole moment lasted only five seconds. Then the whale disappeared, leaving me in awe and wonder.
Being a member of the Deadliest Catch production team has provided me with a long string of these unforgettable experiences. Many of these were captured on film, but some were not. For me, there is another Deadliest Catch magic moment that happens when I am traveling or working in a foreign country and chance upon a fan of the show. Usually it happens when they say something like, “Hey, remember when the Time Bandit pulled those two king crab pots that had 156 crabs in them?” As I look at them quizzically and respond, “Yeah?” I just can’t help but feel amazed that this person intimately knows some of my personal experiences. It is almost as though he had been looking through my own eyes. Now that I find truly amazing!
How wonderful and magically enthralling all these experiences must have been. Thank you for making it possible for us to catch a glimpse of your life at sea! It truly is amazing to watch!
Posted by: Kerri | June 19, 2007 at 05:21 PM
the whale was totally saying hi! this happened to me standing on a dock in CA with a Harbor seal swimming by. it looked right at everyone, swimming like a mermaid, and then after everyone said "wow!" it disappeared into the depths. animals know more than they let on! don't get me started on how smart my cat is... ;)
Posted by: HelloKittyEllen | June 19, 2007 at 06:24 PM
I would like to know how to get a job on one of the crab boats. I would like to go out for a season to see if i can hang in there an make a caree out of it i can be reached at (919)494-5924
Posted by: Tyrone walker | June 19, 2007 at 06:38 PM
Favorite capt. Johnathon Time Bandit
Posted by: Laura | June 19, 2007 at 09:28 PM
Isn't it amazing at the look from a killer whale? I was walking across a bridge at the killer whale tanks and Sea World in San Diego. It was early, there weren't many people in the park. One of the larger killer whales was sort of swimming along slowly near me. She stopped alongside me for no apparent reason. As I was admiring the shape and stunning size of such a creature, I moved my eyes up toward her head, and she was looking right back at me. We made direct eye contact, no doubt about it. I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness, grief and despair while looking into her eye. I just couldn't help but feel like she was somehow trying to communicate how sad and alone she was, and how this tank she was in shouldn't be her home.
I'm no animal rights fanatic, but the sense of sadness, followed by disgust at us as humans who would capture and enslave such magnificent animals made me sick. I left the park right then, vowing never to return to a place that would take such wonderful beings and force them to do tricks makes me disappointed in our inhumanity.
Posted by: Doug | June 20, 2007 at 10:00 AM
That crow's nest perch sounds unbelievably formidable! Wow, what a brave man you are. And I do admire your excellent photography. *You* and your other photography comrades make this show possible and have given me more pleasure than I can adquately convey.
Posted by: gerrie | June 21, 2007 at 08:34 PM
I find the series fascinating and have many questions. We have wondered what it would be like to be the camera crew on these boats and stumbling into this area has proven to be very informative. Please keep up the good work and know that our prayers are with you on these dangerous journeys that you take to keep us aware of what crab fishing (or is it catching?) is really like. The next king crab leg I eat I will wonder if it was caught by one of the boats featured in the series!
Posted by: G. Bear | June 23, 2007 at 06:53 AM
It occurred to me that since the cameramen are standing on the same deck as the crew, and are going up and down with the boat, it is truely hard to grasp how the boat is pitching up and down, not to mention side to side. Would it not be possible to set up a computerized plumb which could transfer the movement of the boat to a small boat image in the corner of the screen. This, I think, would give us a more clear idea of the movement of the boat and what a difficult time it must be to just walk on deck, let alone working while the boat is moving.
Posted by: Michael | June 23, 2007 at 03:18 PM
Having that whale come up to the surface and watch you with his eye for the time he did would make my heart stop.
Posted by: Micheal Douglas | June 27, 2007 at 04:00 AM
I have really enjoyed reading your production diaries. I hope you're going to be on one of the boats for Season 4, and if so, please continue with you writings. Also, try to talk Discovery/Original into releasing some of the footage that you and the rest of the guys have shot, but has never been aired. It would make great "bonus footage" for the DVDs!
Thanks for a great season!
Posted by: fireworksgal | June 28, 2007 at 02:47 PM
I think it's awesome how you guys have the nerve to do such a job. My husband and I watch the show. He loves the whole idea of being in the ocean fishing for crab. He is from Portugal, where he did a lot of fishing. I actually wanted to ask you if you could let me know how he could go about finding out as to how he could actually go and work doing what you guys do. He always bothers me to email you guys and ask you-SERIOUSLY. It's like a dream of his. He honestly wants to do it. He knows the seriousness of it. The danger. But he wants to do it. Please email me and let me know. Thank-you.
Posted by: Sheyla Barreira | July 02, 2007 at 01:54 AM
Doug - I remember you talking with us (the Voodoo crew)about the first few (pilot) episodes you shot a few years ago, and I want to tell you how much we've enjoyed these shows. We're proud of you, and I'm sure you're enjoying the filming too. Much respect to you, and continued success!
Posted by: | July 03, 2007 at 09:51 PM
Hi Doug. I saw a glimpse of you on an after the catch episode. Hey, I know that guy! My wife can not figure out why I am so mesmerized by the show. I envy and respect the guys doing it. Doing everything right, but still knowing that your destiny is truly not in your own hands. I hope life is treating you well. I certainly have no complaints, other than my knees, my back, my eye sight, the typical stuff. Drop me a note when you get a chance. Tunnel chute, American River, here we go, Good Stuff! Nice job on the blog.. Take care, Steve Rankin
Posted by: Steve Rankin | July 06, 2007 at 01:44 AM
Hi Doug,
It is nice to see you be so successful. Your camera work is extraordinary. Monica has alerted all the family to the series and I for one have become a real fan.
A friend from Serene Lakes,
Dena Canty
Posted by: Dena Canty | July 07, 2007 at 04:12 AM
HELLO DOUG,
IM LOOKING FOR A PRODUCTION COMPANY TO TAKE ON A PROJECT, ONE THAT HAS HAD WORLDWIDE COVERAGE,
"THE TULSA BURIED CAR" WE WON THE CAR AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF A RESTORATION SERIES ON MAYBE TLC,DISCOVERY OF HISTORY CHANNELS IS POSSIBLE.
BOB CARNEY
Posted by: ROBERT CARNEY | July 07, 2007 at 05:12 PM
Hello Everyone,
It has been great to hear from some of my old friends, some here I have not heard from for more than a decade.
Thanks for chiming in!
A special hello to the Canty family. Great to hear from you, hope all is well for all of you!
Another special hello to Steve Rankin. Great to hear from you too. We have some new rivers for ya Steve! Glad you are a fan of the show. Coming from Mt.Ops, you would be able to appreciate the crab boys!
Bob Carney sounds like an interesting project. I recommend speaking with Original Productions in Burbank.
Hello to the Voodoo crew (Voodoo Choppers)
To those of you who hope to work on the crab boats:
Many,many people write in everyday to see how they can get a job on the boats. Only those who show up on the docks in Dutch usually get jobs. If you want to work the boats, head for Dutch. In early Oct. It would be risky, but then again, it would only be the beginning of high stakes risk!
As far as the computerized plumb, I'll be thinking about that one.
Thanks again for the crew kudos. We do it because we love it. Soon we get to do it all over again.
Look for season four...coming next year to the Discovery Channel.
Doug
Posted by: Doug Stanley | July 11, 2007 at 02:14 PM
My husband and I are huge fans of the show! Deadliest Catch is the only program on television that we record weekly and both watch. My husband travels frequently on buisness. He always calls home to discuss new episodes with me when he is out of town. The only problem is when he is in a different time zone, and he views the program before or sometimes after I do. Then one of us says, "noooo...don't tell me what is going to happen!" Followed by, "call me later!" We love your show, keep up the great work!
Posted by: leah | July 17, 2007 at 12:50 AM
It is my great pleasure to announce that Deadliest Catch has received four Primetime Emmy Nominations this year. Thanks again to all of our viewers. You have had a hand in this as well!
Thanks and keep watchin'
Doug Stanley
Posted by: Doug Stanley | July 19, 2007 at 03:56 PM
That sounds so neat, I hope you catch it on camera... There's something so exciting about witnessing something for the first time that you know hardly any people will ever experience in their life. :)
Love the show, great work! :)
Posted by: DocsGirl | July 30, 2007 at 10:45 PM
im only 14 but i think i culd be a hand on ur boat sig i think u shuld recruit me as bait boy im a hard worker i dont complain im a "robot" ill do what ever you tell me to and i know that its mostly family that works on the boat but u culd adopt me. please i just want to go out for one season u dont even have to pay me ill do it for free PLEASE!!!!! call me 217-9872
Posted by: seth | August 01, 2007 at 01:45 PM
Hey Doug...It's Tim...
It was great hanging out with you this weekend and learning the back stories to all of your adventures...you are a guy I won't forget...
tim falke
Posted by: Tim Falke | August 07, 2007 at 06:39 PM
Hey Doug...It's Tim...
It was great hanging out with you this weekend and learning the back stories to all of your adventures...you are a guy I won't forget...
tim falke
Posted by: Tim Falke | August 07, 2007 at 06:39 PM
Hey Doug...It's Tim...
It was great hanging out with you this weekend and learning the back stories to all of your adventures...you are a guy I won't forget...
tim falke
Posted by: Tim Falke | August 07, 2007 at 06:39 PM
I would like to know how to get a job on one the crab boats. I've never actuaully done this kind of work before but i have work on a off shore rig. i know this is a lot more dangerous but i am willing to give it my best shot. I would love to learn how to crab fish. I'm from south alabama and i'm not scared to try anything atleast once but if you would just give me a call and see if i can be a crab fisherman, My number is 1(251)-867-6879. Sig i would love to work on your boat i think your crew is cool. "O yea by the way i'm 35."
Posted by: kieth sims | August 08, 2007 at 06:40 PM
This is now August 14, 2007. I can not find my favorite show anywhere!!! except running old repeats during 10 am. Who can watch at that hour? Why did they change the Tuesday nights?
Please keep the regular show announcer. He makes a heck of a difference. Some episodes had a different guy narrating and they were not the same. Here in Miami, Florida, we don't miss a single episode and watch every time we see them, even the repeats. When are the new epipsodes airing?
Please keep the same group of boats and captains, they are extraordinary classy men. Northwestern, Time Bandit, Maverick, Cornelia MArie, Farwest Leader, Rollo...
Posted by: Zeida Cecilia | August 14, 2007 at 09:57 PM