What Happens To Old ‘Deadliest Catch’ Shipping Vessels?
There are great shipping vessels every week on Deadliest Catch. However, as the show is now in its 20th season on Discovery Channel, some fans might wonder about the vessels that are no longer around. While some fans might wonder if the decommissioned ships are sold for parts, it turns out there is something more finale about their ending.
Here is what happens to the shipping vessels from Deadliest Catch when their time has come to an end.
Where Do Shipping Vessels From Deadliest Catch End Up?
It might seem tempting to see if parts from the iconic shipping vessels from the reality TV series Deadliest Catch are available to collectors. However, this isn’t how the lives of these giant ships end. Once a shipping vessel meets the end of the line and finishes its run, the ships are mostly destroyed.
Mostly, the ships from the reality TV show follow industry standards. Once a vessel can no longer serve its purpose, it is often scrapped. This remains the best environmentally conscious and efficient way to deal with the old ships. The parts are then recycled for parts and materials (via Martide).
Once recycled for parts, the material can be used in several manners. Household appliances are one of the most common things made from old shipping parts. This includes things like dishwashers, washing machines, and more. This usually happens when the ships get sent to locations like Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan, and Turkey for recycling.
Sometimes Deadliest Catch Ships Are Sunk
There is another fate for many shipping vessels after their time has ended. In some cases, they are allowed to die on their own, with the owners allowing them to erode organically over time. They won’t leave them sitting out in the open, though. They will sink these ships.
This happens at what is known as ship graveyards, where the shipping vessels end up sunk into an artificial reef. After removing any hazardous materials, they will sit at the bottom of these reefs and erode over time.
Sadly, there are other ships that are left abandoned on beaches. This happens often in Asia. The old, abandoned ships sometimes become a tourist attraction, where people come to see them. Of course, a ship from something like Deadliest Catch would not get left abandoned like that, as too many people would want to get their hands on pieces of a vessel from the reality show.
There have also been times when an old retired shipping vessel ends up sold. The F/V North American was salvaged by Dock Street brokers and sold with bids starting at $100,000.
What are your thoughts on what happens to shipping vessels, including ones from shows like Deadliest Catch? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
