Life on crabbing vessels in Alaska is dangerous, and when it comes to people who died, Deadliest Catch captains and crew members count 18 dead among the cast of the Discovery Channel reality TV series. Premiering in 2005 on Discovery Channel, Deadliest Catch tells the stories of crab fishermen aboard fishing vessels in the Bering Sea. Setting out during the Alaskan king crab and snow crab fishing seasons, they face dangers thanks to a deadly climate, stormy weather, and crushing waves.
While there have been several people who have died while on the fishing vessels, there are also Deadliest Catch captains and crew members who have died while on land. The most famous of these deaths came early in the series, when a beloved captain suffered a stroke while captaining his vessel, and there were other moments where entire vessels capsized, although those were never shown in the series out of respect for those who lost their lives. Many are familiar faces, and others were people who only spent a short time on Deadliest Catch.
The Crew of Ocean Challenger
Deadliest Catch began airing in 2005, and just one year later, a disaster occurred that wasn’t matched until 11 years later. The reality TV show constantly shows the dangers these commercial fishing expeditions face. The F/V Ocean Challenger proves that it isn’t just a televised drama. On October 18, 2006, the Ocean Challenger sank, and only one person survived, while two were listed as dead and one missing. This happened during a storm 90 miles south of Sand Point, Alaska. High waves kept anyone from getting on the life raft.
The survivor was 28-year-old Kevin Ferrell, the only person wearing a survival suit. Dying in the tragic accident were skipper David “Cowboy” Hasselquist, 51, of Hoonah, Alaska, and Walter Foster, 26, of Westport, Washington. They never appeared on Deadliest Catch, but their story was told in the third season. Steve Esparza, 26, of Kodiak, Alaska, was listed as missing. Armand Audette, manager of Trident Seafood, knew the crew well and said he felt they were taken off guard (via Seattle Times):
“I do think they were caught off guard by the weather. I guess everyone knows there are risks. There is peril whenever you go out in rolling seas. There is the feeling that there but for the grace of God go I.”
Captain Phil Harris, Age 53
The most shocking death of anyone from Deadliest Catch played out in the show’s sixth season. Captain Phil Harris was one of the youngest crab fishing boat captains in the Bering Sea when he started at 21, and he captained the F/V Cornelia Marie for over 20 years. He had been a main cast member of Deadliest Catch since its first season. On January 29, 2010, the crew was shooting footage of the F/V Cornelia Marie when Captain Harris said he was excessively tired. He went to his stateroom to retrieve some medications.
Harris suffered a stroke, and in one of the show’s most distressing moments, he demanded the film crew not stop shooting
Second-year Engineer Steve Ward found him there on the floor, conscious but unable to get up. Harris suffered a stroke, and in one of the show’s most distressing moments, he demanded the film crew not stop shooting. He ended up airlifted to Anchorage, Alaska, and had brain surgery and was placed in a self-induced coma. He recovered from the coma but only lived for a few more days, where he was able to say his goodbyes to his friends and his sons, Jake and Josh. Josh told PEOPLE,
“I got five days to actually talk with him. We had nine days total that we were there to enjoy a few moments with him. We had our closest people there and it was awesome.”
Justin Tennison, Age 33
Justin “JT” Tennison was a deckhand on the F/V Time Bandit, Captain Johnathan Hillstrand’s vessel. He only appeared in six episodes in the seventh season of Deadliest Catch. According to reports, he was found dead in a hotel room in Homer, Alaska, on February 22, 2011, just four days after he returned from his last trip on the sea. He was 33, and autopsy reports revealed his death was due to complications from sleep apnea. The F/V Time Bandit crew released a statement (via CBS):
“Justin was tough as a bull and was an all-around good hand. We send our sympathies to his entire family and fellow crew members during this most difficult time.”
Captain Tony Lara, Age 50
After Captain Phil Harris died, Captain Tony Lara replaced him as the new captain of the F/V Cornelia Marie. Phil’s son Josh brought him to the vessel, and he appeared in six episodes of the event season, with his final appearance coming in the season finale, “Mohawks & Madness, Goodness & Gladness.” After the season ended, Josh Casey and Casey McManus led the vessel until its final appearance in season 18.
After Captain Phil Harris died, Captain Tony Lara replaced him as the new captain of the F/V Cornelia Marie. Phil’s son Josh brought him to the vessel, and he appeared in six episodes of the event season, with his final appearance coming in the season finale, “Mohawks & Madness, Goodness & Gladness.” After the season ended, Josh Casey and Casey McManus led the vessel until its final appearance in season 18.
