Terrifying Stroke at Sea: Captain Keith Battles Medical Emergency as Wizard Rushes to St. Paul

The deadly waters of the Bering Sea are no stranger to storms, rogue waves, and life-threatening danger. But for the crew of the Wizard, the greatest threat this season came not from the sea itself — but from within their own wheelhouse. Captain Keith Colburn, the seasoned skipper who has braved countless crab seasons, suddenly found himself at the center of a frightening medical crisis that shook the entire fleet.

A Disturbing Call from the Coast Guard

The drama began when the U.S. Coast Guard radioed in with grim news. After speaking with a doctor, they suspected that Captain Keith had suffered a mini-stroke while aboard the Wizard. For a crew accustomed to battling icy waves and mechanical breakdowns, this was a nightmare scenario. Medical training on board amounted to little more than basic first aid, and out in the middle of nowhere, there was little they could do but hope.

“They need to get him off that damn boat,” one crew member urged, as the Coast Guard coordinated a potential medevac through the tiny airstrip on St. Paul Island.

Racing Against Time and Weather

The Wizard’s estimated time of arrival to St. Paul was around 2200 hours, but the Bering Sea had no intention of making the emergency any easier. Heavy snow flurries and treacherous winds battered the vessel, raising doubts about whether they could even make it into the harbor.

A southwest or westerly wind made the notoriously narrow channel into St. Paul dangerous, with the potential to push the Wizard onto the rocks if the timing wasn’t perfect. Captain Monte Colburn, Keith’s brother, admitted his unease:

“You time this wrong, you’re getting pushed on the beach. I need to be careful of what I do with my vessel here. Just sitting here is maddening. We’re not sure what is happening with my brother, but it’s not good.”

Navigating the Gauntlet

As the Wizard approached the harbor, tension gripped the crew. Every wave threatened to shove the boat off course. The channel required a sharp turn against the swell, making steering nearly impossible. Monte, who had been in and out of St. Paul countless times, knew the risks all too well.

Finally, after a harrowing approach, the Wizard managed to dock. Relief washed over the crew, but their ordeal wasn’t over. Captain Keith needed to be transported from St. Paul to Anchorage and eventually to Seattle for a full medical evaluation.

Emotional Toll on the Crew

The situation weighed heavily on everyone aboard. Monte, torn between brotherly frustration and fear, reflected on Keith’s relentless drive and stubbornness.

“Keith’s not invincible. I know he thinks he is, but this is going to be a sobering reality slapping him in the face pretty quick. Bonnie’s going to have to finish this trip for him. That’s just the way it is right now.”

The crew, still reeling from the shock, knew they had to buckle down and keep fishing while their captain fought a battle of his own. The moment revealed the fragile humanity behind the larger-than-life personalities that fans see on television.

A Sobering Reminder

For the Deadliest Catch fleet, danger usually comes in the form of icy decks, failing hydraulics, or waves big enough to swallow a boat whole. But this incident underscored a sobering truth: the human body can be just as unpredictable and deadly as the sea.

As the Wizard cleared St. Paul harbor and prepared to continue its grind, Keith’s future remained uncertain. Fans and fellow captains alike were reminded that no amount of experience, toughness, or bravado can make a fisherman invincible.

For Captain Keith, the battle wasn’t against the ocean this time — it was against time, distance, and his own health.