Saga crew bundle up during storm | Deadliest Catch

A Nightmare at Sea: Battling the Storm on the Saga

With winds reaching 50 knots, Captain Jake Anderson braces for what he knows will be a nightmare. The 32-meter-long Saga is caught at the edge of a raging storm, and with the final crab pots onboard, it’s time to secure everything and get out.

Jake works south of the Mud Pit, pushing his crew through the last stretch. “How many do we have, James?” he calls out. “Zero on the last one,” comes the disappointing response. Despite this, Jake remains focused on the bigger picture: cashing in his earnings and taking another step toward owning a 25% share of the Saga.

With an estimated haul of 28,423 kilos of crab, just shy of their 29,000-kilo goal, Jake reassures himself: “Better 28,000 than 29,000 and a sunken ship.” So far, everything is going according to plan.

As the crew secures the final two pots, Jake emphasizes their importance. “These need to be locked down properly so we can finally rest.” The team has a grueling 20-hour journey ahead to reach the processing plant, where they can offload and finally get some food and sleep.

Jake allows himself a rare moment of excitement. “I can’t wait to get home and have a few drinks!” But he knows better than to relax too soon. “This isn’t a joke. This is the most dangerous part of the season—the end.”

Every season brings risks, and Jake worries about his crew, especially the deckhands who stack the pots. “Historically, those are the guys who fall,” he admits. The weight on the ship limits its maneuverability—Jake can’t turn quickly, stop on a dime, or accelerate fast. If someone falls, all he would see is a figure floating in the freezing waters—a sight no captain wants to witness.

“Their lives are my responsibility now,” he acknowledges grimly.

With cables secured, doors locked, and crabs stored in the tank, the Saga is ready for the final sprint. But they’re racing against time—the winds are closing in, and they have only 20 hours before the worst of the storm hits. Their last leg involves navigating to Akjout Harbor, right as the fiercest storm of the season descends.

Then, disaster strikes. “The crane’s loose!” someone shouts.

“It came loose fast—run! Get out now!” Jake orders. Panic grips the crew as the unsecured crane swings wildly, turning into a lethal hazard. “That was extremely dangerous,” Jake mutters after securing it.

With the crane finally locked down, the crew retreats inside to wait out the storm. “The Aleutian passes are the worst place to be in strong winds,” Jake says. “And it’s only getting worse.”

Their tanks are full, their payday is near, but the storm is far from over. The waves grow, and the ship’s stability is threatened once again.

“The cage stack is shifting!” someone yells. The 68,000-kilo mass of crab pots has broken loose, swinging precariously with every wave. If they don’t secure it, the imbalance could capsize the ship.

“We have to go out and tie it down—now!” Jake shouts.

The crew fights against the wind and towering waves, scrambling to resecure the massive load. Chains rattle as they work furiously to stabilize the ship. “Almost there—help me!” one deckhand yells.

Finally, after a nerve-wracking struggle, the stack is secure. “That was terrifying,” one of them admits. “Good job, everyone.”

As dawn breaks, the Saga finally enters the safety of the bay. “We made it,” Jake sighs in relief. The crew, battered but victorious, takes in the sight of the harbor.

“We were lucky,” Jake reflects. “One more mile, and who knows what could have happened. I’m just glad we’re safe.”

The Bering Sea has tested them once again, but the Saga and its crew have survived to tell the tale.