Reality TV often highlights love stories, but 'Deadliest Catch' is different. It offers a unique glimpse into the extreme fishing industry, not often explored. Although it's been on Discovery Channel since 2005, not everyone knows the show's true story. Tragedies within the 'Deadliest Catch' team reveal the hidden side of their world.
Jerod Sechrist, a short-lived member of 'Deadliest Catch,' made quite a splash. The show features crab fishing, and distinguishing between male and female crabs is crucial to prevent overfishing. Surprisingly, Sechrist, despite claiming angling experience, couldn't do this. Later, he faced legal trouble, getting arrested for reckless driving with illegal drugs, leading to 43 days in jail.
Sig Hansen, a beloved 'Deadliest Catch' figure, faced serious allegations from his daughter during a custody battle. She accused him of infant abuse, but a judge dismissed the claims. Hansen believes these allegations stem from his ex-wife's interference and called them false. He also accused her of trying to extort money from him, describing it as a "shakedown" and "blackmail."
While 'Deadliest Catch' gives the impression of lonely fishermen battling the sea, it's quite the opposite. It's a commercial fishing industry, and many boats fish in the same waters. Competition is fierce, with hundreds of ships vying for a profitable crab catch. The show doesn't reveal this intense competition among competitors.
While 'Deadliest Catch' crews catch plenty of crab, they avoid eating it. It's all about profits, as they're there to make money, not dine on their catch. Additionally, crab can be messy, especially during rough boat journeys. Crews are often too occupied with work to sit down for a meal, making it an impractical option.
Crab fishing in Alaskan waters has strict rules. Elliott Neese, an experienced 'Deadliest Catch' captain, made a mistake by catching undersized crabs (usually younger). The responsibility lies with captains, and he was fined $6,000 for this breach. After pleading guilty, the fine was reduced to $3,000, but his reputation took a hit when the violation became public.
Life on a reality series is tough, with real dangers. Jake Anderson, Saga's captain, faced addiction and two years of homelessness. He endured family tragedies, discovering his sister's death during season five and learning of his father's passing a year later while working at sea.
You'd expect a serial bank robber to stay hidden, but not Joshua Tel Warner. He appeared on 'Deadliest Catch' in 2009 and got caught due to his newfound fame. Suspected of two heists, he even told a crewmate that being on the show wouldn't erase his criminal past. In 2010, he was arrested thanks to police recognizing him from 'Deadliest Catch' and was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison, ending his TV appearances.
In 'Deadliest Catch' season six, Captain Phil Harris suffered a stroke. He insisted the cameras continue filming his story, even during his medical crisis. After being airlifted to an Anchorage hospital for emergency brain surgery, he initially seemed to improve. Sadly, a few days later, he passed away due to a brain bleed, leaving his family, friends, and fans of the show deeply saddened.
The danger on 'Deadliest Catch' isn't just for the fishing crew. The camera teams also face serious risks. They spend up to five weeks on the ships, living with the crew, no breaks. While other reality show crews get rest, these camera teams endure the tough life, spending around half a year with the fishing crews, their new roommates.
Most fishing boats have strict catch quotas. Failing to meet them leads to financial penalties. However, 'Deadliest Catch' is different. These fishermen make their primary income from the TV show, not the catch. They can sell their fish at lower prices, which may upset other fishermen.
Sig Hansen, a beloved 'Deadliest Catch' member, shared his sea adventure on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live.' He warned about real dangers, like heavy crab pots. One nearly hit a cameraman, weighing 900 lbs. Hansen saved him just in time, seconds before the pot crashed down.
Elliott Neese, a ship captain in season 11, left the show unexpectedly, leaving first mate Jeff Folk in charge. He later revealed he'd entered rehab for narcotics addiction in 2015. Despite efforts by 'Deadliest Catch' producer Decker Watson, Neese couldn't be persuaded to return to the show in 2017.
Some might underestimate the moon's impact on Earth, but sea captains understand its influence on tides due to gravitational pull. A full moon means stronger tides, making it challenging for boats. In 2018, during a supermoon, some captains were scared of the water, but thankfully, no one was seriously harmed.
Environmental changes are shaking up 'Deadliest Catch.' Rising water temperatures are pushing crabs to new, riskier areas. Fishing crews chase them into stormier waters, going deeper and farther from help. These changes impact everyone on the show, though it avoids taking sides in the environmental debate.
'Deadliest Catch' isn't always a one-take show. Some scenes get multiple retakes. While the dangerous parts are real, other scenes are rehearsed. This may make the reality of the show less authentic. There are even claims that some of the drama is scripted for more excitement, like in other reality TV.
While 'Deadliest Catch' fishermen are doing well, other fishers are suffering. The show's funding for some ships makes it hard for the rest. Authorities and fishers say it's hurting their business. It's tough work, and they feel like they're earning very little. This competition has some people thinking Alaska wants the show gone.
While Mike Rowe narrates the US version of 'Deadliest Catch,' international audiences hear different voices. The UK has Bill Petrie, and Malaysia has Nasar Bilal Khan. Showrunners aimed to make the show more relatable by using narrators with familiar accents for each region. The strategy seems to have worked, as 'Deadliest Catch' is now popular worldwide.
'Deadliest Catch' portrays the fishing crews as always busy, but they have more downtime than shown. The show picks the most exciting moments for entertainment. Watching them play cards all the time would be boring, so the intense scenes keep fans interested.
In 'Deadliest Catch' episodes, it seems like the crew goes out, catches crab, and comes home, but they're often at sea for weeks or months. A whole season can be filmed in one trip, and the camera crews work long hours, dealing with the same harsh weather as the fishermen.
Jake Harris, from 'Deadliest Catch,' faced danger outside fishing. He crashed his car, faced drug accusations, suffered a skull fracture and brain injuries, had an altercation with park rangers, and was found with a weapon and illegal drugs. His life took some dangerous turns.
In 2016, Jake Harris from 'Deadliest Catch' was a victim of a violent attack. He was assaulted after leaving a casino, resulting in a fractured skull. Despite initial refusal of medical care, his brother Josh insisted he get help, and the attackers were arrested with Josh's online efforts.
The show 'Deadliest Catch' faced criticism for allegedly exaggerating a 2008 storm scene, suggesting a ship was in danger. It's claimed the boat was safe, and the storm footage was filmed separately. Show executives defended the show's authenticity. While events do happen, they might be presented differently.
Jason King, who appeared on 'Deadliest Catch' in 2015, faced legal trouble in 2017. Police raided his home, discovering illegal drugs and an illegal weapon. Due to his past convictions, he received a sentence of up to 51 months in prison.
The 'Deadliest Catch' crew gets amazing shots through years of experience, but it involves waiting around a lot. They end up with 30,000 hours of footage per season, which is a lot for the editors. Camera crews use over a dozen cameras per season due to saltwater, mist, and wind damaging them.
In 2010, a producer of 'Deadliest Catch,' Matthew Schneider, faced charges of using and selling drugs. He was arrested for selling narcotics to an undercover officer and using drugs in front of them. 18 people associated with the show were allegedly arrested in a narcotics trafficking bust.
When 'Deadliest Catch' first aired, nobody knew if it would succeed. However, it quickly became a hit. Since its debut in 2005, the show has received over 50 Emmy nominations and has won 16 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Best Reality Program and Outstanding Cinematography for Reality Programming.
Spending weeks on a boat with the same people can be tough. 'Deadliest Catch' crews not only deal with that but also the camera team. The crab season is long, and conflicts can arise. Captain Bill Wichrowski said it's essential to get along because they spend more time with these people than their families. Friendships on the ship either work out or don't.
Blake Painter, a 'Deadliest Catch' fisherman from seasons two and three, disliked his portrayal on the show and quit. Tragically, a decade later, he was found dead. His death, seemingly not suspicious, raised questions about the prescription medication found near him.
In 'Deadliest Catch,' the show often portrays a good-versus-bad narrative by casting certain crew members as villains. While real life has its share of villains, the producers actively seek candidates for this role to shape the show's storyline. At times, the cast's actions naturally contribute to this dynamic, with different cast members taking turns as the show's "villains."
The Hillstrand brothers, stars of 'Deadliest Catch,' were offered their own spin-off, 'Hillstranded,' in 2010. While filming went well, issues arose during editing. The brothers didn't cooperate with voiceovers, leading to a $3 million lawsuit and their departure from the show, taking Captain Sig Hansen with them.
In 2013, the Hillstrand brothers faced legal issues after an incident on their ship. They set off fireworks to celebrate a Seattle Seahawks victory, but their homemade firework injured their former crew member, David 'Beaver' Zielinski. In 2015, Zielinski received a $1.35 million settlement for his injuries.
Despite the risks faced by 'Deadliest Catch' fishermen, another type of crab fishing, Dungeness crab fishing, has had more fatalities since 2000. To showcase this, Discovery created 'Deadliest Catch: Dungeon Cove,' which focused on the perilous Dungeness crab fishing, intensifying the danger.
'Deadliest Catch' star Elliott Neese faced more than just narcotics issues. He was accused of assaulting the mother of his children in 2006 and damaging her belongings in 2010. She even filed a restraining order in 2012 due to fears of his potential violence.
'Deadliest Catch' is named for the dangers faced by fishermen, and it has seen its share of tragedy. Beloved Captain Phil Harris and many crew members have passed away due to storms or sinking boats. The show's producer, Joseph McMahon, was shot outside his home while investigating a noise. The shooter took his own life afterward.
Nick McGlashan, a seventh-generation fisherman on the Summer Bay ship, appeared in 78 'Deadliest Catch' episodes. His unexpected passing at 33 in a Nashville hotel room was due to a drug overdose. His family and Captain Bill shared their condolences.
Fans were left in the dark about Todd Kochutin's disappearance from 'Deadliest Catch.' In the last episode of season 16, it was revealed he had tragically passed away in February 2021 at 30 due to a fatal accident on F/V Patricia Lee, leaving fans heartbroken.
Obtaining a fishing license in Alaska isn't as hard as you might think. With $200, you can get one, even if you lack experience. But when lives are at stake on the sea, having knowledgeable crewmates is crucial. Good for TV, not for real life.
Sig Hansen, the famous captain, had not one but two heart attacks. The first was in 2016, and he was fortunate to survive. The second, in 2018, was due to a severe allergic reaction. He barely made it to the hospital in time, and thanks to an EpiPen, he pulled through.
Freddy Maugatai, a fisherman from 'Deadliest Catch,' had a run-in with the law when he got into a fight with a husband and wife in 2011. He claimed self-defense but was arrested. Later, he was fired from his ship, leaving him with free time to pursue other interests.