420 km Northeast of Dutch Harbor, the Kodiak is back on the hunt. Captain Wild Bill Wichrowski and his crew are thrilled to be in prime king crab territory after two weeks of fishing.
King Crab Gold
“Yeah, this is a moneymaking machine,” Bill says, as the crew hits the jackpot. “We’re on the crab now!” After a string of bad luck last season, Bill’s fortune has turned around. “This is a little slice of heaven compared to what we’ve been doing,” he adds, as the crabs start biting.
Bill is optimistic, noting there’s more on the bottom now than there will be in ten days. “I really need to make this work,” he says, as the team works to combine all the gear in one area.
Crane Trouble on Deck
But things take a turn when the Kodiak’s hydraulic crane becomes non-responsive. “Bill, there’s a problem with the hydraulics,” says the deck boss. The crew is still able to drive and steer the boat, but they can’t haul any gear, which is crucial for the success of the trip.
Engineer and deck boss Adam McCalden heads to inspect the damage. “We’re screwed,” he says. It’s turning into a more significant issue than expected, and without the crane, they’re at a standstill. The crew is forced to push pots manually. “Just bear with it, deal with it,” Bill instructs as they try to make it work.
Pushing Pots by Hand
Despite the setback, morale remains high as the crew finds a new sense of spirit. Leading the charge is 29-year-old Jake Jolly, who’s known for his strength and determination. “Get us into a good spot this time, Eric,” Jake instructs as they push pots across the deck.
Jake’s energy is contagious, but the manual labor is taking its toll on the crew. “This is faster, but it wears the guys out faster too,” one crew member comments. As the season progresses, the work becomes more grueling.
Jake’s Injury
But then disaster strikes. Jake falls on the slippery deck, and the pain is instant. “I’m getting lightning bolts from my neck to my shoulder blades,” Jake describes. The crew quickly notices the severity of the injury, and the situation worsens. “It’s a bad spot,” Jake admits, but he’s determined not to give up.
The pain spreads, and Bill orders Jake to take a break. “Get out of here, don’t hurt yourself more,” Bill urges. Jake, however, refuses to go inside. He’s unwilling to leave the crew hanging, but his pride starts to weigh him down.
A Tough Decision
Wild Bill decides to step in and alert Jake’s father. “Jake’s in the fetal position right now,” he tells him. They know they need Jake to rest, but he refuses to stop. “I think you need to relax for a bit,” Bill advises, but Jake’s pride keeps him on the deck. The crew starts to feel the strain of the extra workload as Bill announces a “four-man deck.”
“Now we all get to sweat a little extra,” Bill says. It’s a tough decision, but with the crane down and Jake injured, the crew must push forward, even if it means extra work.
A Major Setback
With the crane out of commission and Jake hurt, Bill’s crew faces a significant challenge. “I’ve never had pain like this before,” Jake admits. The Kodiak’s crew is facing a battle against both their bodies and the unforgiving sea. As Wild Bill scrambles to keep everything on track, the pressure mounts, and their journey through the brutal season is far from over.
