The Boats That Sank on “Deadliest Catch”

The Harrowing Truth Behind Deadliest Catch: Tragedy, Heroism, and the Men Who Risk It All

The frigid waters off the coast of Alaska are among the most dangerous on Earth. Yet every year, brave crews risk their lives in search of king and opilio crabs during the peak seasons in October and January. Since 2005, Deadliest Catch, Discovery Channel’s documentary-style reality series, has chronicled their epic struggles, celebrating the grit, danger, and humanity behind one of the world’s deadliest jobs.

Over the course of 18 seasons and 286 episodes (as of December 2021), Deadliest Catch has delivered nail-biting tension and heart-wrenching losses. Many of the vessels and crew featured in the series have faced unimaginable tragedy—some never returned to shore.

Lost at Sea: Vessels That Never Came Back

Alaskan Monarch

Featured in seasons 2 and 3, the Alaskan Monarch ran aground on Saint Paul Island in 1990 due to thick ice. Thankfully, all crew members were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Storis, though the vessel was destroyed.

Big Valley

Introduced in the pilot episode, Big Valley tragically sank on January 15, 2005, 70 miles off Saint Paul Island. Of the six men aboard, only one survived—Cash Seal. The boat had been overloaded with nearly three times its legal limit of crab pots. The captain and three others were never found.

Ocean Challenger

Though never directly featured in Deadliest Catch, this ship’s sinking was shown in the episode “A Tragic Beginning.” In October 2006, only one of four crew members survived after the boat sank due to rough weather near Sand Point, Alaska.

Alaska Ranger

A catastrophic rudder failure on March 23, 2008, led to this seasoned factory trawler’s sinking. Although 42 crew were rescued, five lost their lives. A Coast Guard miscommunication about the number of crew onboard tragically delayed further search efforts.

FV Katmai

On October 21, 2008, this vessel sank in a storm west of Attu Island. Despite the crew putting on survival suits, seven men perished, including two never found. The captain, one of four survivors, later revealed that a faulty pump caused massive flooding.

FV Carly Renee

Appearing in season 6, this cod fishing vessel capsized near Dutch Harbor in 2009. All four crew members were rescued after abandoning ship. The boat was later left to rot after running aground.

FV Destination

This 2017 tragedy claimed the lives of all six crew members. Among them were Captain Jeff Hathaway and other seasoned fishermen. Despite rescue efforts by the Coast Guard and other nearby ships, only debris and a floating EPIRB were recovered. It’s believed overloading and harsh weather were contributing factors. The tragedy prompted changes to crab fishery management practices.

FV Mary B II

This vessel, featured in Deadliest Catch: Dungeon Cove, sent a distress call on December 31, 2018. It flipped in massive waves before rescuers could arrive. Three crew members, including the captain, died in the incident.

FV Scandies Rose

On New Year’s Eve 2019, the Scandies Rose sank in horrific conditions 170 miles southwest of Kodiak Island. With freezing temperatures, 20-foot waves, and winds topping 40 mph, five of the seven-man crew were lost. Survivors Dean Gribble Jr. and John Lawler were miraculously rescued after donning survival suits in under 10 minutes. The tragedy, though not directly shown on the series, shook the Deadliest Catch community to its core.

Unforgettable Figures: The Men Behind the Helm

Captain Phil Harris – FV Cornelia Marie

Captain Phil Harris was a cornerstone of Deadliest Catch, having captained the Cornelia Marie for 20 years. In 2010, during season 6 filming, he suffered a stroke while unloading crab and passed away shortly after at age 53. His son, Josh Harris, later took over the vessel, continuing his father’s legacy.

Tony Lara

Phil’s friend and successor, Tony Lara, captained the Cornelia Marie for several episodes. Tragically, he died of a heart attack in 2015 while attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Sig Hansen – FV Northwestern

A fan favorite and one of the series’ most recognizable faces, Sig Hansen began fishing at 14 and captained the Northwestern by 24. Known for his discipline and leadership, his boat has operated with a remarkably low injury and fatality rate. Sig has also authored a best-selling memoir and voiced a character in Cars 2. However, he’s faced personal challenges, including two heart attacks—one caught on camera in 2016.

Mandy Hansen

Sig’s daughter, Mandy, made her Deadliest Catch debut in 2009 and later joined the Northwestern crew full-time. Defying gender expectations in a male-dominated industry, she trained at the Maritime Academy in San Diego and now plays a crucial role on board. She’s currently expecting her first child, adding a new chapter to the Hansen family story.

A Dangerous Legacy

With over 3 million Facebook followers and consistently strong ratings, Deadliest Catch continues to captivate audiences around the world. The spinoff Deadliest Catch: Bloodline, launched in April 2022, has added a new layer to the saga, following Josh Harris in Hawaii.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health ranks commercial fishing among the deadliest jobs in the U.S., and Deadliest Catch is a rare and riveting window into the dangers, camaraderie, and courage of the men and women who face the Bering Sea every day.

Their stories remind us of the cost of our seafood—and the resilience of the human spirit.