The Northwestern’s Steering STOPS WORKING In The Middle Of The Night | Deadliest Catch

Captain Sig Hansen Battles the Elements and Technology Failures on the Northwestern

Captain Sig Hansen, well-known for his leadership aboard the Northwestern, is facing one of the most challenging moments of his fishing career. Navigating the crowded grounds of the Southern Ocean, the Northwestern crew deals with several obstacles—from intense competition on the waters to the failure of vital technology. This is a story of grit, skill, and survival on the unforgiving seas.

A Start to a Crowded Season

The Northwestern crew is starting the season a little farther up the line than usual. They’re fishing in the mid-60 fathom range, which historically has been a productive area. However, the fishery is crowded. Following the conclusion of the cod derby, many boats, including theirs, are now out in the same area, intensifying competition for the valuable crab catches.

“We’re starting a little farther up the line. We’re in the mid-60 fathom range—historically, that’s been okay,” Sig remarks, but there’s no time to rest. “Dad, you’re coming up on someone else’s string,” Sig warns his crew, pointing out that they’ll have to navigate through increasingly tight waters, making the task much more complex.

Navigational Breakdown

As the competition intensifies, Captain Sig faces an even greater challenge: his primary global positioning system (GPS) breaks down. The modern technology that was supposed to make navigation easy has failed him, and he must now rely on a backup system. In a moment of quick thinking, Sig turns to a half-century-old compass, recalibrating it based on the Earth’s magnetic polarity to stay on course. This analog system, though less precise, could be their lifeline in this critical moment.

“I need to get this gear off the boat,” Sig says, as the weather starts to worsen, adding more urgency to their situation. “We’ve got to be really careful. The weather’s only going to get worse,” he warns the crew. With the GPS down, Sig uses the magnetic compass to manually navigate the boat, adjusting course with careful precision.

“We haven’t swung that compass in probably 25 years, but if we can save a trip to town, we should,” Sig reflects. Despite the difficulties, his resolve remains strong. The Northwestern is out here to fish, and they will press on, even with the odds stacked against them.

The Crab and the Crew

The gear has been in the water for about 14 hours, and the crew is eager to see what they’ve caught. Early signs are promising. “First pot should be right around here,” Sig says, watching as they pull up the gear. The pots are filled with crabs, and the crew begins counting. “25 crabs, 13 keepers,” they report—more volume than they expected. “There’s crab around,” Sig confirms with a smile, though he knows there’s still much work to be done.

As the day progresses, the crew finds that the crab is more plentiful in the northern areas. Sig and his crew decide to move their gear further north, near a ridge where the crab appear to be thriving. “The crab look better as we move north,” Sig comments, as they reposition the gear. With hopes rising, they hope the move will yield even better results.

Risking it All

Despite the progress, there are still risks. Sig and his crew know they’ve placed their bets on this particular spot. “We’ve put all our eggs in one basket here,” Sig acknowledges. “If this doesn’t pay off, we’re going to fall behind.” The stakes are high, but Sig’s leadership and the crew’s determination could turn things around.

The first of the newly moved pots is hauled up. “23 crabs in that one,” the crew reports. “That’s looking good,” Sig says, his confidence growing. They keep moving forward, determined to make the best of a challenging situation.

A Test of Skill and Perseverance

With the Northwestern facing multiple obstacles—technology failures, crowded waters, and the relentless pressure of the Arctic weather—the crew’s skill and perseverance are truly put to the test. For Captain Sig Hansen, it’s another day of navigating the harsh realities of life at sea. The failure of the GPS and the reliance on older, less reliable methods is a stark reminder of how unpredictable fishing can be, even for the most experienced captains.

As the storm continues to loom, the Northwestern’s crew remains undeterred, working tirelessly to bring in their catch. The road ahead will not be easy, but Sig Hansen’s determination and leadership may just guide the Northwestern through one of its most challenging seasons yet. With each haul, they inch closer to success, proving once again that in the world of fishing, it’s not just technology that matters—it’s the strength of the crew and their ability to adapt when things go wrong.