Who died on Deadliest Catch’s Summer Bay?

Tragedy and Tenacity: The Story of FV Summer Bay on Deadliest Catch

The Bering Sea is not for the faint of heart—and few know that better than Captain “Wild” Bill Wichrowski and the crew of the FV Summer Bay. Since its debut in Season 13 of Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, the Summer Bay has become one of the most recognizable—and tragic—vessels in the series’ history.

About the Summer Bay

The FV Summer Bay, a 196-gross-ton, 100-by-28-foot (32-by-8-meter) fishing vessel built in 1981, first appeared in Deadliest Catch during Season 13. Helmed by veteran mariner Captain Bill Wichrowski, it quickly earned its place in the fleet of boats featured on the show.

The vessel is built for rugged work, equipped with decades of fail-safes. Yet the dangers of the job remain constant. The deck is regularly loaded with dozens of 800-pound (363-kg) crab pots—empty and full—being transferred from sea to storage. Deckhands constantly lean over slippery rails in stormy weather, working long hours in freezing temperatures. As off-camera narrator Mike Rowe frequently reminds viewers, even a momentary lapse in focus can mean life or death.

A Deadly Job by the Numbers

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, commercial fishing is among the most dangerous jobs in America. In 2006, it had a fatality rate of 141.5 per 100,000 workers. In Alaska’s crab fishing industry specifically, the numbers are worse—over 300 deaths per 100,000 in 2005, primarily due to drowning and hypothermia.

This grim context helps explain why Deadliest Catch has witnessed multiple close calls and tragedies. And FV Summer Bay has seen its share.

Survivors and Lost Crew Members

Spencer Moore – Season 14 Close Call

In Season 14, deckhand Spencer Moore made a rookie mistake that nearly cost him his life. While attempting to hook a crab pot in rough waters, a wave swept him off his feet. Despite Captain Bill’s repeated warnings to stay secured, Spencer lost focus.

Miraculously, he grabbed a buoy and managed to stay afloat in freezing 34°F (1°C) waters until his crewmates pulled him out. The incident left a deep mark on Captain Bill. He later told Pop Culture magazine, “That was the first time in 40 years I had a man overboard. I got choked up talking about it.”

Mahlon Reyes – A Shocking End

Mahlon Reyes, a greenhorn deckhand who worked on FV Summer Bay in Season 16, suffered a painful injury mid-season after tearing his Achilles tendon. He left the show in Episode 14 to recover at home. However, in July 2020, Mahlon was found unconscious and hospitalized for a suspected heart attack. Despite being placed on life support, he passed away on July 27 at the age of 38.

In January 2021, a coroner revealed the cause of death: an accidental cocaine overdose that induced cardiac arrest. Mahlon left behind a wife and four children. His ashes were scattered into the Bering Sea by his crewmates.

Oddly, his passing wasn’t originally listed on the Summer Bay’s official website—but the team later acknowledged him on their Facebook page.

Nick McGlashan – The Heart of the Boat

Nick McGlashan was a fan favorite and a deck boss on the Summer Bay. A seventh-generation fisherman, Nick joined Deadliest Catch in 2013 and appeared in nearly 80 episodes.

Though talented and charismatic, Nick battled substance abuse for years. In 2017, he publicly admitted to using heroin, meth, and drinking two liters of vodka daily. After multiple overdoses, he sought help, completed rehab, and returned to the show.

Sadly, Nick relapsed. On December 27, 2020, he was found dead in a Nashville hotel room. A toxic mix of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine was found in his system. He was 33. The show honored him with a two-hour tribute episode in 2021, where his crewmates launched his hook into the sea and set off flares in his memory.

Todd Kochutin – A Crushing Tragedy

Todd Kochutin was introduced as a deckhand on Summer Bay in 2020. After impressing Captain Bill, he moved to FV Patricia Lee for the 2021 season. Tragically, on February 26, 2021, Todd died in a work-related incident aboard the new vessel.

Though the show didn’t air the accident, it captured the aftermath. Captains Bill and Sig Hansen were seen contacting Patricia Lee after an emergency was declared. Later, it was confirmed Todd had died from injuries sustained onboard. A Reddit user who claimed to be a former colleague alleged that Todd had been crushed between a table and pole during a hydraulic operation gone wrong, though this remains unconfirmed.

Todd was buried on March 22, 2021, on St. Paul Island. He was just 30 years old.

A Near Disaster at Sea

In the Season 17 finale, FV Summer Bay faced one of its most terrifying storms yet. With over 165,000 lbs (82.5 tons) of cod onboard, Captain Bill attempted to navigate through rough seas. A giant wave slammed the vessel, nearly capsizing it. Crew members clung to rails as water poured in.

The boat survived the ordeal, but not without damage. A hole was later discovered in the ship’s void—a space critical to buoyancy. Quick-thinking crew sealed the breach just in time. Captain Bill later said, “I think we’re safe… Is everybody on board?” The near-disaster reminded everyone that death on the Bering Sea often comes without warning.

The Cost of the Catch

The Deadliest Catch is more than a TV show—it’s a record of hardship, loss, and resilience. For Captain Wild Bill and his crew on the FV Summer Bay, each fishing season is a test of will, spirit, and survival. The sea has taken some of their best—but their stories live on.

As the captains and deckhands continue to face gale-force winds, rogue waves, and inner demons, one truth remains: the ocean doesn’t forgive, and neither does the life they chose.