'Deadliest Catch' Season 17: Meet the captains who are out to save their livelihood in face of Covid-19
Taking on the unforgiving waters of the Bering Sea is not for the faint-hearted. The sailors and fishermen that choose to brave these harsh, unforgiving waters are those who don't shy away from danger. And if there is anyone that's testament to that statement, it's the captains of 'Deadliest Catch'.
Leading a crew through these waters safely while making sure they hit their quota of catch is no easy feat. But years of practice, discipline and intuition have seasoned the captains on the show. With Covid-19 threatening to ruin what they've fought to build over the years, Season 17 might just be the most important one yet, seeing that there is a lot on the line.
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This season, there are a few usual faces and a few returning ones. Here's a look at the captains of Season 17.
Captain Sig Hansen of the Northwestern
A seasoned fisherman who began fishing at the age of 14, Captain Hansen comes from a long line of fishermen who were among the first pioneers of the crab industry in Alaska. Having earned his spot as the relief captain on the Northwestern at the age of 22, he even went on the become one of the youngest captains at age 26.
As per his official bio, "several seasons have tested the resolve of the stalwart Captain Sig. From suffering a major heart attack to losing a close friend in the tragic sinking of the F/V Destination, Captain Sig has weathered the blows of a career on the sea.
"However, as the old guard increasingly gives way to young guns each passing season, inevitable questions for Sig loom large: At what point will Sig relinquish the chair and pass the boat onto the next generation of Hansens? Will Sig ever surrender the role that has defined him and upon which he has built his legacy?"
Captain Keith Colburn of the Wizard
A first-generation crabber, Captain Colburn became a full-share deckhand on the Wizard back in 1988. Having earned his US Coast Guard license in 1990 he worked his way to the top, where he went from a newbie deckhand to the owner and captain of the Wizard.
Captain Colburn subscribes to tough love when it comes to his crew. While he always looks out for them, he doesn't necessarily show it.
As per his bio, Capatin Colburn has been attempting to put a cap on his temper, and is "trying to be more even-keeled in the face of mounting health problems, including an infection in his spine that kept him of the fishing grounds for both bairdi and opilio for the 2017/2018 season. A first-generation crabber, Keith fishes with a chip on his shoulder, and the stakes — both personal and professional — are higher than ever."
Captain Scott Campbell Jr of the Lady Alaska
Captain Campbell Jr has not had it easy over the past few seasons, despite being an expert crab fisherman. As his back injury worsened over time, he made a choice to leave the show, for the sake of his health, seeing that even multiple surgeries failed to reserve the damage.
But Season 17 has something that fans can look forward to since Captain Campbell Jr is back, taking on Lady Alaska as his fishing vessel. Seeing that he has intel on where to find crab, the captain decides to team up with his long-time rival Captain Keith Colburn.
Captain Jake Anderson of the Saga
Fourth-generation crab fisherman and a professional skateboarder, Captain Anderson has had quite the journey. The former deck boss to Captain Sig Hansen, Captain Anderson has faced his fair share of ordeals, from making it to the top of the ladder, only to end up as rung of the deck on the Northwestern, after his stint on the Kiska Sea failed.
However, when previous Saga Captain Elliott Neese asked Jake if he wanted to run the Saga, he rose to the occasion and gave it all he had. His bio mentions that he has seen hardships in his professional and personal life.
Between the birth of his first son and taking over the Saga, his triumphs 'were a welcome change for the recovering addict who has faced many trials over the course of his life: His sister’s sudden death, his father’s murder, an opiate addiction — Jake has overcome a lot in a short time.'
Captains Josh Harris of the Cornelia Marie
Filling in the shoes of Captain Phil Harris is no easy feat, but if anyone could do it, it would have to be his son, Captain Josh Harris. Being a the helm of the Cornelia Marie came with a hefty price, seeing that co-captain Case McManus and he had to seek help for investors to purchase the vessel, but it was worth the blood, sweat and tears.
As per his bio, Captain Harris initially worked alongside his brother Jake. However, Jake's battle with addiction resulted in Josh being the only one carrying forward the Harris name in the line of fishing.
It's definitely taken a toll on him, seeing that in past seasons he saw a "streak of bad luck and injuries, Josh endured and hauled in the crab, ultimately reaching their quota without any margin to spare. Buoyed by the success of last season, will Josh — as the last Harris still fishing — continue to take the reins of the family business and further his family’s legacy?"
Captain Casey McManus of the Cornelia Marie
A third-generation fisherman with 2 decades of experience, Captain McManis has been co-captaining the Cornelia Marie since Josh bought the boat back in 2014. It hasn't been smooth sailing for the two, seeing that each of them have good reasons to believe that they are the true captain.
However, the pair seem to make it work, regardless. His bio states that he is is the de-facto captain, seeing that "Casey has handled most of the boat’s operations, including being a staple in the engine room. Never shy to issue a challenge or state his opinion, Casey provides a sensible and veteran voice to the wheelhouse."
Captain 'Wild' Bill Wichrowski of The Summer Bay
Over the years, Captain Wichrowski might not be as 'wild' as he once was, however, over the years, he's been put through the ultimate test as a captain.
Although he did try to work alongside his son, Zack Larson, the latter choose to join the Brenna A, which ultimately led to tension brewing between the two on previous seasons. Having dealt with loss of his deckhand Mahlon Reyes, it has not been easy for the once fiery captain to keep his crew afloat.
That, alongside his physical ailments, including a hip surgery 'could have easily taken Bill out of the crabbing game, but he returns confident that he can catch crab and battle seas with the best of them'.
Catch Season 17 of 'Deadliest Catch' on Tuesdays at 8 pm ET/PT on Discovery. You can also stream the same on Discovery+