Entry No. 1: New Season, New Gear, New Challenge

Just before dawn today, I was standing on the deck of the Cornelia Marie with my brother Todd and Zac McFarlane, the two men I will have to lean heavily upon in order to complete what is becoming a monumental task.

Over the next week, we will be running the crews that will rig “our” crabbing vessels with cameras, microphones and all the other gear. We have done this before, except this time we will have to rig eight boats, and all the new equipment we have brought is not our usual stuff. This will be our first year producing the show in HDTV. None of this new equipment has ever been tested in the Bering Sea, possibly the toughest environment that any show has ever been produced in.

Before it is all done, much of the equipment will see four sea journeys, each with its own unique challenges. Last year, the temperature dropped to -20 F. How will this new gear fare? I don’t know. I can’t guarantee anything, and that is a spot I am not used to.

Dutch harbor is already awake now in the pre-dawn hours. The king crab season approaches, and the docks are buzzing with activity. Dutch has changed a lot since I first came here four years ago. About half the boats that once fished crab out of this port are still fishing today. More than a thousand men have lost their jobs, many of them my friends.  The island seems sad in some ways, but there is little time to heed.  With only a week until the fishing begins, my crew, each captain and every deckhand in this town is involved in the favorite pastime of Dutch Harbor: hard work.

When the boats are rigged, I will head to sea aboard the Time Bandit. Jonathan, Andy and Neil Hilstrand are some of my favorite crab boys. They are not yet in town, but I keep my eye on the harbor’s entrance, hoping they will arrive soon. I need to have every vessel being rigged day and night until we are done. Problem is none of the new equipment was designed for this task, and every piece of it is giving us fits in some way.

Comments

[Beth]

I am just moved by this guys with their amazing jobs. I do think it is the most dangerous job in the whole world but they have showed a lot of courage and hardwork just by being there fishing. I salute you guys for the incredible job. I hope you all be safe. I am an avid fan of the show and never fail to watch it afternoon and night.

[Robbie Primeaux]

Question, what are you paid for TV appearance?

[chronicler]

This season proves to be a good one. I am watching with anticipation to see the numbers and the risks taken by the crews.

BTW - how much does the cage or pot weigh? I'm interested because jake is about 120 lbs at best it looks like. He should have quite the season this year as a full d.h.

[Jake Hutchens]

Be safe my friends and may God be with you all!!!

[Joey Garcia]

I am a new comer to "The Deadliest Catch", however within moments I have been captivated by the bravery and tenacity of these young men. Just wanted to say my hat is off to you brave young souls and God speed in accomplishing your season goals. I love King Crab legs, I just never knew how much work went into catching the SOB's. I've come to appreciate my en tree' a lot more.

[mike hermes]

Ok nice start to the new season but i notice in the preview's what look like the cabin of the time bandit coming off and or riping from the deck ; I hope I'm was not seeing that pic. right but if it was could you tell me if the crew is ok thank's

[Kevin]

How about, along with the production notes the producers put up a log of approximate Longitude and Latitude for key events in the show? I'm thinking it would be great to look up the spots on Google Earth while I watch the show. For that matter, I don't see right off the bat when I get to the Discovery.Com web site any basic information about crab fishing, the Bering Sea or info on any of the boats and technology used, all of which would be excellent fodder for fans of the show. Discovery.Com could be a great starting poitn for discovery, eh?

[Mike Courtney]

I think you guys rock on this show .The more I watch the more I want to do .I give anything to do something like that . The rush must be awsome out there doing that by putting your life on line . I do some pretty dangerous stuff but nothing like that

[Teresa Farley]

First, I'd like to thank ALL the men out there who risk their lives to provide the rest of us with the crab we love!
I watch the show EVERY week and think you don't get paid enough for the job you do.I appreciate all of you and your hard work!
Thank you,be safe and God speed!

[Mandy Garza]

I am so excited about the new season. This is my favorite show on TV. My 6 year old son is addicted to Deadliest Catch. You never want your only son to join the military but now he wants to do what they do on Deadliest Catch. But I have to admit, getting a 6 year old to turn off cartoons and mark the calendar for the day of the new seasons episode is a huge deal. I would not mind at all if my son turned out to be a Bering Sea fisherman. Scared to death we would both be but a heck of a man he would be. Hat's off to you guys!

[Bor*chek]

A message to Doug and Todd: I heard a rumor that you guys were in on this show, its heart warming to know that you're getting to see what real work is like. I'm alive and well and a shop keeper in Haines, AK, and no amount of money could ever get me back out on the Bering plucking crab. Drop a line some time, ya sock-tuckers!

[Kevin Smith]

I'd love a "Deadliest Catch" game for the XBOX 360.
First episode for Season 3 was great !!

[rhonda]

where is hiram? will he be back for opi season with cap. rick? he is one of my favorites!

[Candace Belanger]

The new season started off with a bang and I love it. My girlfriend was over and watched the show with me she was hooked. I hope you have a safe season. God speed.

[Doug Stanley]

Thanks for the kudos!
Sock Tuckers?
Yep, My brother Todd and I are still doing the show.
the show and Dutch Harbor have become a regular part of our lives. I have learned much, often through suffering.
We really do try to keep the lenses clean.
The crew injury tally is growing.
Still looking for the biggest waves.
Be sure to check out "Lobstermen" this year on Discovery.
Its gunna be smokin'
I think Hiram is great too. He is in Hammond, OR. He built himself a fabulous tree house on some property he owned there. Will we see him again. On forward looking questions about Hiram, the Time Bandit Boys, or anyone else on the show I can only say "stay tuned". Problem is that today I will have to learn how to say it in dozens of languages. I would love to hear from some of our international viewers. We are playing in something like 100 countries!
Doug

[ben (cleveland)]

I do NOT like the new advertising this new season. Since when did Lexus get put on the radar next to Russia? That is how American Chopper got ruined by all of the media such as t shirts etc. Keep out the corporate sponsors! I like the low budget first couple of seasons. It shows how real it is when it is filmed raw. Even Phil Harris cut his hair! Again, stop trying to capitalize on the show with the sponsors. Other than that I love it.
This message brought to you by Altel. (See what I mean!)

[Terry]

Why not have 2 hour specials or do the show twice a week? Once a week isn't enough and one hour isn't long enough. So much footage shot but so little actually shown.

[Tammie]

I have to say I am hooked. I caught some reruns last month and had to come back for some more. Its a fantastic show and more real than the so called "reality" shows being aired.
I would watch replays all week rather than watch American Idol or Dancing with the Stars. These guys are the real deal. Can't say enough how much I love the Show

[Scott]

Does anyone know when the deadliest catch game will be available to play on the website???

[patrick dillon]

I wonder, has anyone who enjoys this show read: Lost At Sea: An American Tragedy. It's about the worst commercial fishing accident in the Bering Sea. It was named one of the best books of 1998 and could certainly serve as a prototype for this series. Check it out. Lost at Sea (Dial Press).

Goodhusband

[sean]

Can anyone tell me why the show was not on in Canada last night.

[Christina]

J.A

to those who roll with wind,and rock with the sea. May the Lord
be with you as the word is with me. May he gamble the ocean
roll water like dice,may he wake up the sun to melt
down the ice. when the fog comes sinking in may you light
the night to lead them back again. may you hit the Jackpot
with noun died and lots cot,and when its time to bring in the pods and tie up
the knots. Get out the the cold and come home where its hot.

dedicated to Jake Anderson on the Northwestern. Heaven
sent my love to pass on to the world,and somehow
all i want to do is give it to you. And even though
where apart, in my dreams I see your face and feel the beat
of your heart. Love as you will your little lady.

[Jodi]

Does anyone know if the narrarater for Deadliest Catch is Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs? It sure sounds like him!!

[Chris]

Jodi,

Mike Rowe is the narrator. Not only is Deadliest Catch awesome to watch, as an added bonus it's great to listen to!

[sizzle]

this show kicks bass ha-ha i like it i love it i want more of it this is the best show to come down the road in a long time to u guys out there on the high seas i say keep up the good work and sig hansen relax man its only life and well u aint gonna make it out alive anyway,seriously u guys rock be safe and god bless