Entry No. 12: Magic and Wonder

Every once in a while, when I'm aboard the Time Bandit, the subfreezing temperatures, wind and spray combine and, magically, water freezes before my eyes. We have never managed to catch it in the act, so it has never appeared on the show. This amazing phenomenon occurs when the boat hits a wave and spray jets upward from the bow. Gravity kicks in and the boat and the droplets fall at the same speed. For a few seconds water hangs suspended in midair and is literally frozen. When the boat stops falling the droplets all suddenly tumble to the deck as ice and scatter in many directions. It is a magical moment.

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!

Comments

[Frank Grimes]

Doug,

You all do such a great job. I'm amazed at some of the shots you get. I'm interested in hearing about your gear. What are you shooting? Audio? Are you a One-Man-Band?
I'm a former US Navy man who is now a producer/director/DV shooter who gets seasick, so I couldn't do your job, but I'd love to know how the gear fares in those conditions.

Thanks, and keep up the Great Work.

frank

[Paulo M:]

Im a light house keeper from Portugal (AÇORES), and a just want to say this: Is so amazing and so impresionante see this episodes, and see how bad seas condicions those mens have to work, i have been near the atlantic all my life, a have some hours too inside a boat and a know how hard can be. To finish a must say THANK YOU to all camerman and women for their COURAGE to go out in the boats and give to the world a impresionante view of so hard work and so bad seas.THANK YOU TO YOU ALL.(sorry for my bad english)

[BC]

We have enjoyed watching the show and wish success and health to all; the boat crews and their loved ones and the production crews too. We have been there and done that too, so we know.

The show takes us back to that time when...Our feet were frozen, our backs ached, fingers were stiff from cold, arms ached from cleaning or packing, baiting or hauling, we chased the Thanksgiving turkey around the galley, we worked til we thought we would drop in our tracks, we weren't sure the storm would ever end or the wind would ever stop its howling, we huddled around the tiny cups of coffee to get warm. We hacked bait and filled jugs, we swung at ice with bats or shoveled it into the scuppers, We felt a sense of family, even when skipper growled. We helplessly listened to a far away rescue of friends gone down while holding our breaths, our eyes wide,daring to hope all would be rescued, but knowing some might not be. We joked and laughed and had the times of our lives...we hauled reds and blues and opies too, full pots, empty pots a time or two. We missed our families. We killed a crab or two and when we got old we stopped going but never stopped missing those days when...

We relive these days of our youth watching the show, and it reminds us of friends; some with us still, some not and these memories are bittersweet, For all who have ever been there and done that, the sea still calls, siren that she is. BC & SC

[Tennessee W.]

Doug,
Kudos to you and your work! You not only show a level of commitment impressive to most, but also an appreciation for an art only nature is capable of, be it harsh or humble. I'm curious what type of equipment you are using out there on the high seas, what stands up to the elements, etc? Digital or 35mm? Thanks for your time and the energy you put forth.

[Doug Stanley]

To all of you wondering about the equipment.
We shoot the show with Sony HDR-ZIUs.
Our Audio uses waterproof Sennheiser MM 400 transmitters and 411A Receivers. We also use Sennheiser 416 shotgun mikes on the camera with Rycote Softies. These mics can take an amazing amount of seawater and usually make it back to shore still functioning after King Crab season, 3 deepwater Lobster trips, and then through the significantly more serious Opilio season.
Amazing really!
The majority of our equipment is completely trashed at the end of our production cycle. There are a lot more cameras and systems onboard,but this is the majority of our hand-held platform.
Doug

[Katie]

I don't think there is anything I would love more now, than to have your job, and film the Deadliest Catch. Unfortunately I'm still in school, but I'm working on it! Just wanted to say I love the show and am extremely jealous of some of the things you get to see and experience, that so many of us never will. I wish you the best of luck this year, and hope season 4 is a huge success!

[Dafydd]

Iam really interested in having a go on the deadliest catch!! my fav vessel has to be the Northwestern! with captain Sig Hanson and deck boss (sig's brother) Edgar Hanson! could you let me know how to join as a Greenhorn?

[Dafydd]

Or even have a go at filming, because i started in University studying Film and Media Studies! e-mail me please!

[Tracia]

Wow! I've been missing out on this well written blog! The Time Bandit footage in season three was unforgetable. But this blog really reveals another personal side that I had not expected! I hope you well continue your blog in the future. I'll be watching for you all in season 4. May it be another prosperous, but safe season for everyone!

Doug and the rest of the camera crew, you're all doing a dangerous but fantastic job! Can't wait for next season!
Hope you finally get that wonderful shot, the water freezing in mid air sounds breathtaking.
To all, camera crews and fishing crews, Godspeed and may you all catch catch catch, but above all stay safe and healthy.

A big warm hug to all from Miami

[Tim Muskas]

I feel like I am part of a cult thing going on here. My wife and I discovered the show last year and subsequently she got me season 1 and 2 on DVD. I love the whole show but find the greenhorn episodes very entertaining. Yes I have a favorite like everyone else, love the Northwestern and crew. But how can you not find them all carasmatic in their own way? I have dreams of being a greenhorn myself but that will stay a dream as I realize the courage and danger these guys endure, not to mention I'm from Fla. and I freeze when the temps hit the 50's. Thanks to all involved with bringing us this truly facinating and entertaining show. Can't wait till the next season starts. And one last thing, How can I get a Northwestern jacket?

[Dennis Jensen]

Hi Doug,

Enjoyed reading your blog.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Look forward to seeing you guys when you finish the season.

Cheers,

Denny

[Cheryl Petruska]

When will the new season start? I cannot find any information anywhere.

[steven]

Capt. Sig , Your show shows the heros behind the scene. Its good to know they have good people like you looking after the fisherman of today. Stay safe out there and good fishing. Steven Clark Ill.

[Jeff Stockel]

Hi Doug, Congradulation's on your Emmy. I'm friends with Greg Stone , Doug's Stone's brother. we had a few ski trips up to both Donner Ski Ranch and the bump, Boreal Ridge. It did not dawn on me that you were the camaraman behind my favorite show until the Sacramento Bee had your story. I am not at all surprised that you ended up where you are. You and Doug were doing stunts on skate boards and skis that most would never do. It is so exciting to see that a local who loved the same mountains I did would take their passions all the way to the top.
Congradulation's
Jeff Stockel
Granite Bay,Ca.