Sig Hansen Distraught As His Friend Captain Jeff Is Announced Lost At Sea | Deadliest Catch

The story of the **FV Destination** sinking on **February 11, 2017**, near St. George Island in the Bering Sea is a heartbreaking tragedy that underscores the relentless hazards of commercial fishing in Alaska’s unforgiving waters. Here’s a deeper look into what happened and the broader implications of the event:

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### **1. The Vessel and Its Crew**
– The **Destination**, a 98-foot crab fishing vessel, was crewed by six men, including Captain **Jeff Hathaway**, a seasoned fisherman with decades of experience.
– The boat was on its way to the **opilio crab grounds**, loaded with gear and pots, a routine operation that turned into disaster.

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### **2. Key Elements of the Incident**
#### **Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)**
– The Coast Guard received a distress signal from the vessel’s **EPIRB**, a critical device designed to transmit the ship’s location in emergencies.
– However, no **Mayday call** or other communication from the crew was recorded, suggesting the crew had little or no warning of the impending catastrophe.

#### **Debris Field**
– Searchers found a debris field, including:
– A **life ring** marked “Destination.”
– Crab pot gear, buoys, and a fuel slick on the water.
– The absence of **life rafts or survival suits** suggested the crew was unable to abandon ship in time, likely due to the sudden nature of the sinking.

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### **3. Likely Causes**
The **National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)** later investigated the sinking and pointed to **icing** as a probable cause:
– **Heavy icing** can accumulate rapidly in cold temperatures and high winds, adding significant weight and destabilizing the vessel.
– The Destination, like many crab boats, had a high center of gravity when loaded with pots, making it particularly vulnerable to capsizing under these conditions.
– Weather reports indicated that icing conditions were severe in the area at the time, with freezing spray warnings issued by the National Weather Service.

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### **4. The Role of the Coast Guard**
– The **Coast Guard** conducted an exhaustive search, deploying helicopters and coordinating with nearby vessels.
– Despite their best efforts, no survivors were found, and the search was eventually called off after combing a wide area of the sea.

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### **5. Industry Lessons and Regulations**
The tragedy of the Destination prompted reflections and calls for changes in safety practices:
#### **Vessel Stability**
– Regular stability checks and load management are crucial, especially in icing-prone waters.
– The importance of ensuring vessels have sufficient stability margins for unexpected weight increases, like ice accumulation, was emphasized.

#### **Emergency Preparedness**
– Quick donning of survival suits and deployment of life rafts can be life-saving. Drills must simulate real-world conditions to prepare crews for such emergencies.

#### **Weather Awareness**
– Mariners operating in the Bering Sea must heed icing forecasts and adjust plans to avoid severe conditions, though economic pressures often push vessels to operate in dangerous weather.

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### **6. Emotional and Community Impact**
– Captain Jeff Hathaway was well-loved and respected in the fishing community, with friends like **Sig Hansen** of the **FV Northwestern** expressing grief and disbelief at the loss.
– The sinking sent shockwaves through the fleet, serving as a grim reminder of the dangers they all face.

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### **7. Broader Reflection**
The loss of the Destination and her crew adds to a long list of tragedies in the commercial fishing industry. It serves as a call to:
– **Respect the sea’s power.** No amount of experience or preparedness can fully mitigate the risks.
– **Invest in safety.** From better weather forecasting to improved vessel design, advancements in technology must be leveraged to protect lives.
– **Honor the fallen.** The story of the Destination, like others, reinforces the bravery and sacrifice of those who work the seas to provide for their families and communities.