Season 4 Entry 2: Increasing Seas

With the king crab season now under way, I find myself still standing on the rocky shore of Dutch Harbor.  Through the lens of my camera, I stare out to the north into increasing seas.  In my frame, at the harbor’s mouth, I can see Priests Rock, always the patient observer, staring out to sea as well.  I check focus and wait patiently for my shot.

As I press the red “record” button, descending clouds obscure the rock.  I feel the barometer dropping in my bones.  As I roll camera, the F/V Cornelia Marie crosses my frame rising and falling in spray.  Capt. Phil and his crew are heading out into rough seas once again.  Most of the Deadliest Catch boats are already out there, and the weather is really starting to “come down.”   As soon as the Cornelia Marie clears my frame, I frown, knowing that my cameraman Danny and I are now the last sea-going production team left in town.  This year we have been chosen to film the journey of the North American, our newest Deadliest Catch boat.  Unfortunately the North American, which has not fished for two years, has been delayed with preparations.  As a result, Danny and I are stuck in Dutch Harbor.

As I leave the dock, I load my camera and tripod into my pickup and then I am forced to climb in through the passenger door. The driver’s door is jammed because, earlier, I tried to open it in 60-mph winds.  In one startling moment the door ripped out of my hands, hyper-extending the door hinges.  Now it’s stuck.  Dutch is like that.  It is hard on everything and everyone. 

As I drive back to the hotel, the gusty winds slam against my truck. I pass City Dock and notice two tugboats struggling to keep a cargo ship from ripping the dock apart in the wind.  It is quite a scene, but soon my thoughts return to the crab boats and then to our producers and cameramen who are already out at sea.  I am envious of their situation as they face the growing storm.  I know that these thoughts would seem irrational to most people, even to the fishermen themselves.  Strange as it may be, it has become my professional passion to chase storms.  With the seas growing, I cannot stand the fact that I am not out there.

Comments

[Derek]

Doug: I hope you continue to post your comments throughout the current crab season. Your perspective is yet another fascinating picture of life on the Bering Sea. I hope you also continue w/the idea of doing a feature on the trips up to Dutch Harbor from Seattle. Sounds like there was a lot of excitement there also. There are very few true adventures left to experience, and your crews have done an amazing job of bringing an incredible portrayal to us. I remember how I felt during our many 6hr flights across the Pacific to Guam, the incredible dark blue of the upper atmosphere, the lovely contrails of our sister ships, the quietness and vastness of the sea below. Your narratives recall the same feelings of wonder and awe regarding the vast expanses of the ocean.

[Pauline]

Doug, please continue producing Deadliest Catch. Great series! I notice that when the boats take on new greenhorns that some work out and others don't. I was wondering if any of them ever thought or were open of taking on like a convict or like a rehabilitation person. With the hard work combined with someone that has done some hard time. Wonder how they would work out. Just a suggestion. I think that would be interesting.

[NauticalNovice]

Doug, I know you've had numerous suggestion, but has there been a suggestion dealing with timelines and dealing aboard the vessels? I understand the actual date of unloading/departing the Harbor and their fishing grounds is forbidden, but I’m wondering if Discovery has entertained the notion of letting the fans know during the season where the fishing vessels are – a day or two behind their actual schedule, i.e., unloading King Crab at the Harbor, loading pots (not disclosing their location within the Bering Sea), and any “significant” happenings onboard on the vessels. Just a suggestion from a fan from the pilot season.

[Bonnie Lingle]

Hi Doug, How is Phil, the captain of the Cornelia Marie doing. Will he return to captain the boat, or what is his current diagnosis and prognosis. I pray for him and all the men that work there.

I love the series, "Deadliest Catch", it certainly makes one realize how hard these men have to work for the crab we eat. I know they are paid well, but you couldn't pay me enough to do what they do. I appreciate the fact that the photographers don't have it too easy either. They also take their lives in their hands getting some of the shots they get in order to let us land lubbers see just how difficult the crabbing industry is. God bless and watch over them all.