Entry No. 3: Storm Tossed

Sometime in the middle of the Time Bandit’s storm-tossed journey out to the king crab fishing grounds I found myself jarred suddenly awake.  The boat had just been hit by a strong wave and I was having a “moment.” Disoriented, I had a profound sense of needing to know if everything was OK.

As I crawled across my stateroom in the darkness I was reminded that the f/v Ocean Challenger had just capsized sometime during the last 12 hours. I remembered the looks on the faces of the Time Bandit’s captains, Jonathan and Andy Hilstrand, after the mayday and as they closely followed the incident on the radio.  I, too, feel a deep sense of loss for the men who did not survive the vessel’s sinking. I feel my own vulnerability as well. Even as a guest aboard the Time Bandit, I am a committed member of the crew.  I am often confronted with the reality of our situation out at sea.

The Time Bandit seemed pretty normal once I had reoriented myself.  Everyone except Russell, who was on watch, was deep in slumber.  The men were soaking up every bit of sleep they could get in anticipation of the long, hard hours of work ahead. As I approached the helm Russell continued staring straight ahead. Aside from the usual roar of the engines the boat was silent.  Neither of us wanted to break the peace. I looked over Russell’s shoulder at the navigational computer.  We still had 11 hours of steaming to go before we would drop our first string of pots. I looked forward just as our bow impacted another wave and sent spray flying a hundred feet in the air.

Back downstairs I contemplated walking out onto the deck for a second to clear my head of sleep.  As I began to open the sea door I stopped short.  We are all supposed to tell someone else when we go out on deck. Last year, our Time Bandit cameraman Patrick Cummings stepped outside this very door for “just a minute” without announcing his plans to anyone. Within moments he found himself “swimming underwater across the deck” after he had been hit by a wave that was over his head.  He later told me that he had a “moment” himself.   As he fought in the whitewater, he feared that he would be washed overboard and nobody on the Time Bandit would even have known.

As I crawled back in my bunk I thought of how lonely it would be to see the boat steaming away from you with nobody aware that you were in the water.  I thought again of all the men who were lost on the Ocean Challenger and of the other fishermen that have been lost just during my four years in the Bering Sea.  With the sinking of the f/v Ocean Challenger the number of these unfortunate souls has grown to nine men.  I felt around in the dark for my camera, always by my side and ready.  Reassured that everything was as OK as it could ever be aboard a Bering Sea crab ship, I wrapped my arms around my survival suit and headed back to sleep.

Comments

[Mandi]

I feel so bad for them all. It was so sad that the only survivor had to sit in the helicopter and terrifyingly watch the rescue rangers pull his dead friends out of the water. My heart is out to all their families and friends, and I wish luck to everyone still at sea.

~Mandi~

[Ken Robings]

Doug,
Remember, never get off the boat.
Stay safe (as is possible).
Paul Taylor and I send our best wishes.
When you are ready for "King Crab Vision",
let me know.
Cheers,
Ken Robings
Century Optics

[Briana]

I love the show but please stay safe all of you, i hope you all have a great season. Blake, Sig, Phil, John and all the rest of the captians be safe and god bless you.

My hearts goes out to all of you.

*~Briana~*

[Tina]

I just want to say that I just recently started watching the show, but I got back and watch all the ones from the past because I have became so fascinated with what you all do, I admit it looks exciting and scary at the same time. I pray you all remain safe and my God be with you all, and thank you for allowing us to watch as you do the most dangerous thing in your lives.

[Storm]

Dang it, now you went and made me cry! Glad you're ALL back safe and I don't have to worry about the film crews until next October. I'll keep holding the fishermen in my prayers and sending smoke for their safety 'cause they fish year-round, not just crabbing.

[Jay]

Most of my friends and I watch the show. We hope you all find a lot of crab because I enjoy eating them. Why are the number of boats limited this season to 80 something boats. does this mean the price of crab is going up since the quotas are down or does each ship get a bigger quota to find? Be careful and we couldn't wait for the new season to come back on. Hopefully it will run all year.

[Christine]

I am new to the production diaries but what I just read above kind of puts into perspective the immense amount of dedication put into this show by everyone involved. I think everyone has become aware of what the captains and crews go through, but there are cameramen (don't know if there are any camerawomen)on these boats with wives and families too. When you described that fear of the Time Bandit pulling away without anyone knowing you were in the water, it kind of gave me a "chill." Take care of yourselves. If it makes you feel any better, you have the best show on television - and I have a satellite dish with channels I don't even know I have.

[Doug Stanley]

There is a comment on here worth noting. It is a note from Ken Robings. Ken is an Academy Award winning optical designer, we worked together for a couple of years. He likes challenges that result in new optical systems. What Ken is suggesting in his note is that we consider creating a custom optical system that would simulate looking through crabs eyes.
Now you don't just go and do something like that everyday. I guess you can see why I love my job!

If you ever see a crab's eye point of view shot. You will know exactly what you are looking at. My creative side says "Yeah, and then we get the crab to pinch Edgar's Finger, wait Sig, yeah, yeah!
Doug

[LOUIS FANELLI]

I AM LOOKING FOR A JOB AS A DECK HAND I AM A HARD WORKER UP A LOT OF HOURS ALSO WORK IN COLD TEMPETURES I WOULD LIKE TO APPLIE FOR WORK ON NORTHWESTERN OR THE CORNELIA MARIE WHO I THINK ARE GO GETTERS WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO THINK I AM
PLEASE CONCIDER
THANK YOU LOUIS FANELLI

PLEASE REMIT

[Brandi]

I love the show and my sister and I wish for all of you to come to Florida to get warm in the sun!!!!!! Can't get enough of the show!! You guys live like there really is no tomorrow!!! Love you guys we will keep watching and hope for speedy homecoming!!

[BILLY]

I would like to take this time to acknowledge all whom have been lost at sea, every one who ventures is at her mercy. Deadliest Catch is one of the best programs i've watched and want to thank everyone who made the show possible. BE SAFE ALL!

[Kim]

I have been watching Deadliest Catch since the show first aired. I am hooked and Tivo the show every Tuesday night. I thoroughly enjoy every minute of it. I have so much respect for these men and am in awe of their courage and bravery while earning a living....dangerously. Although Sig, Johnathan and Phil are my favorites...I like them all.
It kills me when someone loses their life...
Be Safe and God Speed

[Angelia Lemons]

Hi I'm new to this blog and I wanted to say I absolutely LOVE the show!!! My fav is Sig and Johnathan, but I luv 'em all. What I would like to see is a memorial type show for the crew of the Ocean Challenger and any others. I'd like for the channel to put faces to the names if they could. I think they deserve it. Also, I had some questions about how you film the show and does the production crew have to sign some kind of waiver (because of the danger) when you go out? And how long are you out to sea with a boat? Please keep this show on 'cause I'm addicted to it! Also, I love the After the Catch segments. I would like to know more about the captains and crew. One more question...how do they decide which boats they are going to film? Thanks so much and be safe. Angelia from Oklahoma

[Doug Stanley]

It is always difficult to select the boats that we have on the show. I am not sure if it is a perfect science, but it is discussed over and over. We hope our selections add to the story and in order to accomplish that we have to have a full range of characters.
They don't let me pick...Otherwise it would be all one boat, all the time. Can you guess which one?
Doug

DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW DO I GO ABOUT APPLYING FOR A JOB ON ONE OF THE BOATS??? EMAIL....DLINDSEY2323@WOWWWAY.COM

DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW DO I GO ABOUT APPLYING FOR A JOB ON ONE OF THE BOATS??? EMAIL....DLINDSEY2323@WOWWWAY.COM

[Susan]

Mr. Sig Hansen.. Are you married?? I am indeed a fan. I think you are adorable. I watch the show just to see u. I am 40 5'4 150 lbs...Blonde hair, brown eyes and also a thrill seeker. I manufacture pyrophoric chemicals, climb 170ft distillation towers and respond to hazmat in level A suits.. fight fires in 1100 degree buildings. I love your job and can truely appreciate the hard work. Over the past ten years I have had alot of men ask me why I chose this field, because I am not butch like.. I am A GIRLY GIRL. I want to make money like my dad, not work all day in an office only to go to the gym at night and be cooking dinner at 7pm Anyway...Doxielover29@yahoo.com Keep up the awesome safety record. Sue

[susan]

Beautifully written Doug. My family has been involved in the commercial fishing industry for over 75 years. Thanks for being out there and showing the viewers what life at sea is all about!

[Susan]

Just want to clarify. I am not the Susan(posted above me on June 22) who is trying to get a date with Sig. Different Susan....happily married to a fisherman!

[bob freasier]

there was a cdr. sig hansen in world war 11 he commanded the de. dennis. could he be kin to capt. hansen? maybe a grandfather? he was famous in his day. a war hero.

[Anita]

To my favorite Captian, Phil Harris,

I really love the show, watching the Cornilla Marie and the crew. Stay safe you guys, and May the Lord Jesus be with you always. I will pray for all that you stay safe and come home soon.

Love You Captian Phil

Anita

[JOE AND JOYCE DERENZO, (NEWTON BABY)]

HI GUYS, YER GREAT ! PLEASE ALWAYS COME HOME!No fishing for crabs on land! god bless you all. My wife told me that you made it in our neck of the woods,for bike week, not a bad way to spend fathers day, in N.H. Hey its been a real pleasure watching all of you and we enjoy it tremendously-- keep safe and we,ll be watching all of you JOE AND JOYCE D. NEWMARKET,N.H.

[JOHN GRIFFIN]

HOW DO I GET A POSITION ON THE SOULMAJESTIC.I WANT TO BE UNDER A CAPTIAN THATBVIS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!(HAHA)UNDER CID OR THE OTHEIR CAPTIANS I WILL MAKE MY CHOOSING .

[JOHN GRIFFIN]

I REALLYB WANT TO GET INTO HEAVY FISHING.

[JOHN GRIFFIN]

I WANT TO FISH