Not a rumor : Deadliest Catch’s most famous ship has been sold to another captain.. And will he create a new show?
This is confidential information. Another captain bought it for $3 million
Discovery Channel fans keeping up with Deadliest Catch know the dangers of fishing in the Bering Sea. The crews aboard the fishing boats often talk about how the weather can affect the vessels — and, of course, several boats have sunk in the series. Here’s how much the crab boats from Deadliest Catch can cost — and it’s way more than some fans might expect.
Crab boats, like the ones seen on ‘Deadliest Catch’ Season 19, can cost millions to build
Building crab boats fit for the Bering Sea is no easy task, as they have to withstand the harsh weather conditions of Alaska.
“We have stability reports onboard and we try to follow them to the letter, but a lot of times ice can build so fast there is nothing we can do about it,” Captain Sig Hansen of the F/V Northwestern told The Fishing Website. “So, we do try to keep up with the ice and there is a ‘fudge factor.’ That is where having experience on the same boat pays off — you do tend to know her limitations. In the worst-case scenario, if you are loaded with pots you can always cut the ties and lose the gear; you don’t have to spend the time untying and setting them, and that’s been done to save a vessel.”
The crab boats on Deadliest Catch can cost hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of dollars to build. The 150-foot Alaskan Enterprise, one of the largest crab fishing boats in existence, reportedly cost $2 million to build. Smaller crab boats can reportedly be found used for anywhere from $80,000 to $160,000. It seems likely that the vessels used on Deadliest Catch err on the more expensive side. Additionally, maintaining a crab boat can cost thousands annually, and just the engines on the boats alone can cost $2 million.
‘Deadliest Catch’ boat Time Bandit went up for sale for $2.88 million
The F/V Time Bandit sold for quite a lot of money. The vessel, introduced in Deadliest Catch Season 2, reportedly went for sale for $2,888,888 million. The boat is 113 feet long and can hold 175,000 pounds of crab or 365,000 pounds of salmon. The Hillstrand brothers built the boat in 1991. It’s unclear if the Time Bandit ever sold at that price.
Captain Sig Hansen gave a clue as to how much the F/V Northwestern may be worth. He spoke about the boat’s humble beginnings on the show. His father bought the boat now known as the Northwestern. At the time he made the purchase, the boat was $1.2 million.
“The Marco fishing boats were the Cadillac of the fleet,” Hansen explained. “And they said that because they were so easy to maintain, operate, and they were so seaworthy.”
F/V Northwestern Captain Sig Hansen says no one’s getting ‘rich’ from the show
Crab fishing in the Bering Sea is certainly a lucrative business — but Captain Sig Hansen once said that the cast and crew appearing on Deadliest Catch aren’t making much money from the series.
“They pay a little bit of money for the time and effort involved, but it’s not like we are getting rich on it,” he told The Fishing Website. “It would be nice to see more, but what are you going to do? I see there are benefits on the other side of the coin, or I would not want to do it anymore. It is a hassle having the camera crews on board – it’s not easy.”
Elements of this story were originally reported by Pontoonopedia and TMZ.
Deadliest Catch Season 20 is premiering on the Discovery Channel soon. This milestone season will showcase a lot of fan-favorite captains, and a reunion of sorts. Jake Anderson is headed back to the F/V Northwestern! What else has the network shared about this harrowing season?
Here are all the details including all the of the boats returning, the premiere date, and some of the drama Discovery fans will get to see.
Deadliest Catch Season 20 Is Milestone Season
On Monday, Discovery announced the premiere of the Deadliest Catch Season 20. According to The Futon Critic, this season opens with a big surprise. The Red King Crab fishery has reopened. What is a bigger surprise is that they are going to return to the derby-style race. This means the captains are going to be working against time, and using every trick in the book to get their haul.
Adding to the danger is the El Niño weather. This means that the storms are stronger and more dangerous. That means when the captains are watching the clock to get to the crab, they have to still keep their crew safe. That is a difficult balance that makes for drama. This is the most dangerous job in the world, and the fans always return.
Howard Lee, the President of Discovery Networks declared, “Deadliest Catch is the gold standard for unscripted series, paving the way for an entire genre of television that highlights everyday working heroes.”
Who Is Returning For The Upcoming Season?
Besides Jake Anderson, who is returning for Deadliest Catch Season 20? Firstly, Captain Sig is back. Sig Hansen is returning, and sharing his wisdom with the viewers in the preview. Next, Captain Johnathan is back. Johnathan Hillstrand is unretired again. He has returned because he wants to fish Rd King Crab.
Next, Captain Wild Bill Wichrowski has returned. At the end of Season 19, he got a cancer diagnosis. Fans have been concerned about him. This season should provide the update fans need on his health, as well as an opportunity for this seasoned captain to make a few more milestones.
Captain Keith Colburn has a lot happening on the F/V Wizard. He may wish for the days when his biggest issue was a bad greenhorn. Sophia “Bob” Nielsen, Captain Steve Harley Davidson, and Jack Bunnell are all back. Lastly, Jacob Hutchins is determined to sit in that captain’s chair on the F/V Aleutian Lady. But, what does Captain Rick Shelford think of that?
When Is The Premiere Of The Deadliest Catch Season 20?
The two-hour premiere of the Deadliest Catch Season 20 is on Tuesday, June 11, at 8 p.m., Eastern, on the Discovery Channel.
Deadliest Catch fans, which story are you most looking forward to the upcoming season?