The 15 Best Deadliest Catch Boats Ranked

The Deadliest catch Boats are as big a symbol of the Discovery Channel reality series as the oversized Alaskan king crab and snow crab they hunt in the blistering Bering Sea. While there are several parts of Deadliest catch As moist as the Discovery reality series often are, these are real boats on the freezing and tumultuous North Atlantic Ocean, weighing up to 370 tons. The sight of one of these behemoth and industrial, yet somehow nostalgic, ships blasting through ocean spray as gulls soar overhead is a defining shot of the series.

Name like Northwestern, SeabrookeAnd Wizard Are as tied to the show as Sig Hansen, Phil Harris and Keith Colburn. with F/V as a prefix (“fishing vessel”), The ships on Deadliest catch Set out from Alaskan harbors in October king crab and January opilio crab (snow crab) seasons. Narrated by Mike Rowe, Deadliest catch has been on the air since 2005, outshining many similar Discovery Channel shows that have been forgotten over the years. The crabbing vessels are one of the most impressive aspects of the show: a filming set, home and source of danger.

15

F/V Arctic Dawn

Pilot

The F/V Arctic Dawn May not be the most prominent ship on deadliest catch, But it still deserves a special mention due to the fact that it was one of the few vessels featured in the three-part pilot miniseries America’s Deadliest Season. Without Thom Beers’ decision to follow the Arctic Dawn With a film crew during the 2003-2004 crab season, Deadliest catch Could never have existed as a show.

F/V Arctic Dawn Never returned to deadliest catch, But it remains an important part of the show’s history. Unfortunately, it is also a ship that has been plagued with misfortune since the show began. After retiring from fishing crab in 2005, and taking a complete break in 2009, F/V Arctic Dawn Caught fire while moored in the Lake Washington Ship Canal in 2010 (via Captain). However, this was not the end of the ships’ troubles, as former captain Clarence “Ole” Helgewood, who participated in the Deadliest catch Pilot, was charged with a DUI and manslaughter in Alaska in 2017 (via Los Angeles Daily News)

14

F/V Kodiak

Seasons 6-8

F/V Kodiak is one of the shortest-lived boats on Deadliest catch Among those that appeared in more than one season, having only been featured during the show’s midpoint from season 6 to season 8. Built in 1978 and named after its city of origin, Alaska’s Kodiak, F/V Kodiak is 111ft in length, and remains one of the weakest Deadliest catch Ships. While it was piloted by Wild Bill Wichrowski, one of the most entertaining captains in Deadliest grab, The skipper moved to the F/V Cape caution In season 9, and the Kodiak was never seen in the show again.

Still, although it is not one of the most memorable Deadliest catch Set in the 2020s, it was eagerly anticipated when it arrived in 2010’s Season 6. Much like the F/V Arctic Dawn, The F/V Kodiak It is worth remembering when it comes to the longer history of the show and the wealth of characters featured in all 19 seasons so far, because it was a talking point for fans when it debuted.

13

F/V Bilikin

Seasons 1 and 18

There have been many ships in the history of Deadliest catch That left another one or a handful of seasons, only to later return with a new captain at a later point in the show. But few had such a long absence as F/V Bilikin. Built in 1973 in Seattle, the Billikin is a 132ft schooner that was first introduced to Deadliest catch viewers all the way back in 2005’s season 1. It was then captained by Jeff Weeks, although both he and F/V Bilikin Has not returned for Deadliest catch Season 2.

however, 17 years later, F/V Bilikin Returned in Deadliest catch Season 18. At this point, of course, the Discovery series was a very different show, with many years to polish its formula and find what really worked (which is also a key reason why the show has managed to stay on the air for almost 20 years). when F/V Bilikin was seen again, it was Steve “Harley” Davidson at the helm. Unfortunately for this blast from Deadliest catchs past, Davidson wouldn’t manage these Billikin With him in season 19, and instead was co-captain of the F/V Barbara J Along with Jack Bunnell.

12

F/V Lady Alaska

Season 1, Seasons 16 and 17

While it didn’t take quite as long a break as F/V Bilikin, The great name F/V Lady Alaska is another Deadliest catch Ship that most fans thought retired on the show after the first season, and were surprised to see it return over a decade later. During Deadliest catch season 1, F/V Lady Alaska Captain Peter Liske is at the helm, although Jeff weeks of the F/V Bilikin, Liske did not return to the show after his debut outing in 2005.

Fast forward to 2020, and Deadliest catch Once again followed the F/V Lady Alaska How the ship and its crew braved the waves of the Bering Sea in search of elusive yet lucrative hauls of crab. During F/V Lady Alaska’s Second stint on deadliest catch, It was helmed by none other than show veteran Scott Campbell Jr., a regular from seasons 7-10.

11

F/V drop caution

Seasons 9-12

F/V drop caution may be best remembered for its captain, “Wild” Bill Wychrowski, but it deserves consideration among all the Deadliest catch Ships due to its prominence between seasons 9 and 12 (2013-2016). Bill Wichrowski has always been a fan favorite when it comes to Deadliest catch Captain, and because of that, The Cape caution Was considered by many to be one of the “main” vessels on the show before it was retired prior to season 13.

This was when Bill Wichrowski moved to the F/V Summer Bay, And so Cape caution Hasn’t been seen since. He stays with Summer Bay as of Deadliest catch Season 19, and his second ship was much closer to the captain than his original. Also worth noting is that, with a length of just over 98 ft, F/V drop caution was on the shorter side when it came to the ships on Deadliest catch.

10

F/V South Wind

Seasons 15-18

F/V South Wind First appeared on Deadliest catch Along with his captain Steve “Harley” Davidson in season 15, although they may have been filmed earlier. Something fans may not know about Deadliest catch Is that boats and crews are often filmed without making it onto the show several seasons. It is a miracle South wind Never made it into the series in the past, considering Harley’s hot temper and his willingness to control other boats’ pots.

The ship’s home port is Seattle, Washingtonand was previously named Seahawker And Sablefish (via Deadliest fleet). It is 43.90 meters in length (about 144 feet, or almost half a gridiron football field) and weighs 493 tons. Built in 1980, South wind is a strong-looking vessel capable of competing with the top vessels in the show for crab As well as for drama.

9

F/V Aleutian Lady

Seasons 19 – present

Rick Shelford and F/V Aleutian Lady They may be relative newcomers to the series, but they’re an exciting new addition with an eye-catching royal blue hull. The boat was built in 1980 by the Nichols Brothers of a Washington shipyard (by NicholsBoats), and is 125 feet in length (by Shelford Fisheries). It is capable of carrying 189 tons and can host a crew of 5-8 people. Rick Shelford, the ship’s captain, has previously appeared on the show working on other ships.

It’s been an adventure watching Shelford grow from a greenhorn into the captain of his own ship, gaining confidence along the way. Sometimes it feels like he’s gained a little too much confidence, though, and he’s often more than willing to lead. Aleutian Lady In situations that more veteran crab boat captains would want to avoid.

8

F/V Seabrooke

Seasons 7-10, 16, present

Many fans will recognize F/V Seabrooke Like the house of the late Mahlon Rais on Deadliest catchwho passed away on July 27, 2020 at his home at the age of 38. Seabrooke Only went on and off Deadliest catchHowever It is unmistakable with its bright red hull and fast speed, like a corvette out on the ocean. Captained by Scott Campbell, Jr. For most of its run, Seabrooke was an exciting ship on the show, but unfortunately, Campbell had to take a break after a back injury forced him to have surgery (via Tri-City Herald).

Seabrooke Returns in season 20, now helmed by Sophia “Bob” Nielsen, one of the few female captains in the fleet. First appearing on the show in season 19 as a deckhand, Bob made her way to the cockpit of Seabrooke In season 20. Originally working on Saga, Bob hoped to take over her family’s boat, Victory, but she had a powerful ship in Seabrooke (via WBD).

7

F/W Brenna A

Ages 12-15, 18

Sean Dwyer, captain of F/W Brenna AHe is one of the youngest captains in the fleet, but he is not a greenhorn. Fans have watched Dwyer work on Brene As sister, Jennifer AIn previous times before taking up the mantle of Brene AMaking the ship an important part of Dwyer’s journey. An unremarkable tool in many ways, Brene A is a solid and reliable boat that seems to have success in the open seas.

Brene A is 35 meters in length (114 feet), which makes it one of the smaller boats in Deadliest catch (via Deadliest fleet). The ship is owned by Jenny Gore Dwyer, Sean’s mother, and it was Sean’s father’s dying wish that Sean captain one of their family boats (via Discovery). It is a family business for Brene AAnd its pliable stability in the sea with its small frame gives the ship a sort of underdog feel when up against its larger counterparts.

6

F/V Summer Bay

Seasons 13-present

F/V Summer Bay Could almost be a luxury ship looking at it just through the hull. With its powder blue paint and the warm-sounding name of Summer Bay, It is one of the most beautiful vessels in Deadliest catch. The ship is out of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and is 32 meters in length (105 feet), capable of carrying 196 tons of crab (through) Deadliest fleet). While its coloring, name and size may suggest Summer Bay is a civil vessel, Captain “Wild” Bill Wychrowski is anything but.

Bill burst onto the series, earning his nickname by performing surprising and dangerous maneuvers with Summer Bayand developing some rivalries between other crews. However, recent seasons have seen Bill mellow, and in season 19, Bill brought in fishing celebrity Linda Greenlaw to captain. Greenlaw is played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in Wolfgang Petersen’s exciting movie The perfect stormBased on the true story of a Boston swordfish boat.

5

F/V Saga

Seasons 1, 9-19

F/V Saga Was piloted by many captains throughout its long run Deadliest catchEven being the training ship for Sophia “Bob” Nielsen before she took the helm of Seabrooke in season 20. However, Saga Really belongs to Jake Anderson of any of the captains. Anderson is one of the most volatile captains in Deadliest catchAnd before he got the position, he moved around ships often butting heads with other crew members and often demoted.

After becoming captain of his own ship, Anderson quickly matured, considering this new responsibility a chance to change his fiery ways. From Kodiak, Alaska, Saga is 33 meters (108 feet) long and can carry 198 tons of crab on one journey (via Deadliest fleet). Saga is a sturdy-looking dark blue boat that could almost be something the Coast Guard uses to patrol.

4

F/V Wizard

Season 3-present

F/V Wizard is an old ship, built in 1945 by the Ira S. Bushey Shipyard for use by the US Navy. Deadliest fleet), making it A powerful juggernaut capable of facing even the harshest North Atlantic storms. At 48 meters (157 feet), it is over half a gridiron football field in length and is capable of carrying nearly 500 tons of crab, making it one of the biggest boats in the series. Keith Colburn has helmed the ship since his first appearance in season 3, with some help from his brother Monty “Mouse” Colburn.

Keith is not the most liked captain, often prickly in his attitude, but his results speak for themselves, and in later seasons he tried to keep a more reasonable cool. Wizard Also benefiting from Freddy Maugatai as part of his crew, his bombastic and larger-than-life personality ensured that the boat often received screen time in Deadliest catch.

3

F/V Time Bandit

Seasons 2-13, 17-present

F/V Time Bandit is a ship from Homer, AK (via Deadliest fleet). At 34 meters (112 feet) and capable of carrying nearly 300 tons of crab, it is a fairly standard fishing boat on Deadliest catch. But what makes it one of the best in the series is its appearance, complete with a pirate flag skull and crossbones on the bow. Based on the design, one might expect the captain to be an evil man, but Johnathan Hillstrand is not that man.

Hilstrand’s father designed Time bandit With some unheard-of luxuries on it, included A four-person sauna, staterooms with queen-size beds and a dishwasher make the ship feel more like home than any other ship (via Giddings Boatworks). Jonathan is a practical joker on the ship and lets problems that would bother other captains roll off his shoulders. His brother Andy may be a bit more serious, but he’s also one to never forget that he’s doing a job he loves.

2

F/V Cornelia Marie

Seasons 2-7, 10-18

It’s hard to talk about E/V Cornelia Marie Without also bringing up Captain Phil Harris. Harris was the first captain of the fishing boat when it appeared in season 2 and was a no-nonsense, unapologetic captain who had countless memorable moments in the series, becoming a fan favorite. He would often have real arguments with his sons who worked on the boat, Joshua and Jake, making for some affecting drama. Harris passed away on February 9, 2010, from an intracranial hemorrhage, the lead-up to which was captured on film.

It was a tragic loss and every time the yellow and blue Cornelia Marie Coming on screen, crashing through ice or sailing through waves, it’s hard not to picture Harris in the cockpit. 39 meters (128 feet) long and capable of carrying nearly 300 tons (dia Deadliest fleet), Cornelia Marie Has always been one of the more successful boats at the show And a gorgeous one at that.

1

F/V Northwestern

Seasons 1-present

F/V Northwestern is the quintessential Deadliest catch Fishing boat. It has appeared in every season of the show and its captain, Sig Hansen, is the unofficial main character of the series. Sig’s family is also a big part of the boat, working as crew members or taking turns at the helm. Sig is a hard-driving captain who doesn’t accept failure or fools easily. His team agrees with his ambition, however, because of the success of Northwestern And Sig’s keen sense of where the crabs will be.

Northwestern is a beautiful white ship with blue and red decals that make it instantly recognizable When it appears on the waves. It is 38 meters (125 feet) in length and is capable of carrying 197 tons of crab, through Deadliest fleet. Northwestern is what comes to mind when one thinks “Deadliest catch“or “fishing boat”. It is basically the flagship boat of the series.

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