Family Legacies

On Deadliest Catch I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with my wife, Rhea, our land-based producer, camera operator and audio supervisor. Our son, Rex, is also with us this season.  Only 11 months old, he is taking his second trip to Dutch Harbor. I guess you could call him the “Deadliest Catch Kid.”  We are all blessed.  Few families in the television industry get to travel and work together.  In the world of crab fishing, the opposite holds true.  Many of the boats are filled with families -- fathers, sons and brothers working together, or on separate boats, to continue their family fishing legacies.

Looking down through my lens from my perch on Mount Ballyhoo, I see my wife crouched behind some discarded fishing nets.  She is trying to stay out of my shot while we both film the arrival of Deadliest Catch's newest boat, the North American.   Like the Northwestern, Time Bandit, Cornelia Marie and Wizard, the boat is family-owned and operated.  As the boat slides into the dock, Rhea and I are excited.  We will finally have the opportunity to meet both Capt. Sten Skaar and his brother/engineer, John.  We are also anxious to meet the remainder of the crew.

Wearing a black and white Norwegian sweater, Capt. Skaar extends his hand.   His boyish looks and warm smile convey a message of welcome.  Rhea and I are immediately invited aboard the boat and are introduced to the crew.  First we meet young Travis  Arket, the vessel's energetic techie vagabond. His Uncle Jimmy fishes on the Storm Petrel.  We also meet seasoned professional deckhand Davin Nes.  Davin comes from one of the famous Bering Sea crabbing families.  His father, Magnus, is a legendary captain.  His two brothers, Jeffrey and Michael, both fish the Bering Sea.  All of the crew mirror Capt. Sten's warmth and welcome.  Our final crew member, the captain of the Rollo, Eric Nyhammer, has yet to arrive.  He too comes from a famous fishing family.

Soon Rhea and I are led into my state room.  There I find that the crew has prepared my bunk with a brand-new sleeping bag and fresh pillow. This is surprising, but what is most surprising is the presence of a mint on the pillow -- the captain’s personal touch.  As I look at the crew laughing at my surprised expression, I really begin to understand that this is going to be a very different crabbing trip.  "Welcome to the North American," says Capt. Sten.

Comments

[norwegian_footballer]

Mint on the pillow on the North American....Classic Sten prank.....LOL....Good one.