Be The First To Tour Wild Bill’s New Boat, “Summer Bay”
Inside the Summer Bay: What It Really Means to Own a Crab Boat
Dutch Harbor, Alaska – For years, Captain Bill Wichrowski—known to fans of Deadliest Catch as “Wild Bill”—treated every boat he stepped on as if it were his own. But now, with the Summer Bay, that sentiment has finally become a reality.
The Real Deal Behind Boat Ownership
“People always asked me, ‘Why haven’t you owned a boat?’” Wild Bill reflects. “Well, owning a boat means you deal with people—deckhands, breakdowns, and every little thing that can go wrong.”
While buying a boat wasn’t always part of the plan, circumstances—and a good opportunity—led Bill to finally take the plunge. “If this boat wasn’t in the shape that it is, I would’ve never done it,” he admits. The Summer Bay might not be the biggest boat in the fleet, nor the highest crab packer, but it’s practical, reliable, and efficient.
Unlike some larger vessels, such as Captain Keith Colburn’s Wizard, the Summer Bay consumes significantly less fuel—an important factor in today’s fishing world where quotas are shrinking. “Keith can pack a lot of pots and crab,” Bill explains, “but there’s not a lot of crab to catch right now. His fuel costs are probably double or triple mine.”
A Modern Wheelhouse with Classic Grit
Step into the wheelhouse of the Summer Bay, and you’ll see a mix of modern tech and old-school know-how. “It’s a lot different from the Cape Caution, that’s for sure,” Bill says with a grin.
Equipped with a 48-mile radar, depth finders, and a satellite compass, the boat is outfitted for the toughest conditions. But despite the gadgets, some realities of crab fishing never change. “Crab don’t have air bladders, so you can’t see them on any kind of sonar,” he explains. “It’s not like chasing fish. You don’t get to say, ‘Hey, there they are on the screen.’”
The boat also includes a KVH system for internet and phone connectivity—an addition that’s proven both helpful and problematic. “When this system first came out, some crew lost their whole season just being on the internet,” Bill laughs. “Roaming charges and all—it adds up fast.”
Making Life Livable at Sea
If you’re going to spend months battling the Bering Sea, you might as well do it in comfort. That’s Bill’s philosophy when it comes to living quarters.
“We made a bunch of improvements,” he says of his private stateroom. “New flooring, fixed a leaking toilet, added a fridge, and replaced that awful yellow Formica counter that looked like something out of an insane asylum.”
Even the bathroom sink—yes, a controversial pedestal sink—was a budget decision. “It was $10 cheaper than stainless. I’ll probably get grief for it, but whatever,” he shrugs.
And what does the captain watch in his downtime? “Self-defense videos,” he chuckles. “Not sure I need that in my repertoire, but it keeps things interesting.”
Where the Crew Bonds and the Work Begins
In the galley, the heart of crew life, Bill went all out to make it feel like home. “We’re feeding eight or nine people with the camera crew, so I installed a double oven and a commercial-style coffee pot. You need it when you’re this far north.”
He also added a large farmhouse-style sink—another improvement that raised a few eyebrows. “It’s practical. That’s all that matters.”
The engine room tells a similar story. Built in the 1980s, the boat is remarkably well-maintained. “This boat was owned by a company that cared about upkeep. The main engines, two generators, refrigeration, hydraulics—it’s all solid.”
Innovation at Sea: Work Smarter, Not Harder
One of the most practical upgrades is in the sorting process. The Summer Bay’s sliding sorting table helps reduce crew fatigue—something Bill takes seriously. “This job is punishing,” he says. “If you can make it easier on the guys, you can push them harder. That table’s like an old man’s dream. Just move the handle and the crab slides down.”
He knows what it takes to keep a crew going through grueling 20-hour days in subzero temps. “You’re asking them to do the impossible, day after day. You want to make it just manageable enough that they can keep going.”
More Than Just a Boat
Owning the Summer Bay isn’t just about catching crab. For Captain Bill, it’s about control, leadership, and providing a better experience for his crew in one of the most demanding jobs on Earth.
It’s not the flashiest boat in the fleet, but it’s efficient, comfortable, and battle-tested. And in the world of Deadliest Catch, that can make all the difference.
