Sig Hansen’s Daughter Experiences The Hard Nature of Bering Sea First Hand I Deadliest Catch

Captain Sig Hansen’s Tough Lessons: A Family’s Bond on the Northwestern

Captain Sig Hansen and his crew are working hard in the middle of a 25-pot string. The conditions are rough, but the crabs have been flowing in, and everything seems to be coming together. “Looks good,” says Hansen, while the crew pulls in one pot after another. They are finding a rhythm in the midst of the challenge, dialling in their technique as they go along. “We’ve got this whole edge pretty much to ourselves,” Hansen says. “We’ll keep dialing and dialing, and before you know it, we’re okay.”

However, things aren’t always as smooth as they seem on the surface. As the crew works, they encounter the inevitable setbacks that come with life at sea. At one point, a crew member, completely exhausted, falls asleep on the job. “This is what happens to people who fall asleep,” one of the crew members jokes, as a playful “hello” is exchanged.

Despite the chaos, there’s one thing that’s clear: Captain Hansen is a man who knows how to get things done. After decades of experience, he’s seen it all. “Ladies and gentlemen, after a couple of decades at the helm…” the crew cheers him on as he takes over the deck to show his daughter, Mandy, how it’s done.

In this moment, Hansen demonstrates the fine art of crab sorting, pulling in big pots filled with valuable crabs. “Oh, God, those are big pots,” he exclaims as he surveys the catch. His hands move quickly, sorting and organizing the crabs as if he’s done it a thousand times before. “I am the king of sorting,” he says with a smile. His confident attitude reassures the crew, even when the situation seems overwhelming.

However, this isn’t just any normal day at sea. Captain Sig’s daughter, Mandy, is working alongside him. It’s her first season out on the Northwestern, and the experience is proving to be a challenge. “Mother Nature’s going to give us a little less spanking, I think,” she says, braving the harsh conditions. As the weather starts to pick up, it becomes clear that she is in for her first real test. The wind is blowing, the seas are rough, and the pots keep coming in.

With each pot hauled aboard, the weather conditions worsen. As a father, Sig Hansen can’t help but feel protective of his daughter. “As a dad, you want to protect them,” he admits. With the wind picking up and the conditions worsening, Sig makes the decision to pull Mandy off the deck. “Better safe than sorry,” he says, looking out for his daughter. “It’s daddy’s little girl,” he adds, revealing the tender side of the tough captain.

While Sig is concerned about Mandy’s safety, he also knows that the world of fishing isn’t for the faint of heart. “I’m like, we’re expendable or something,” she says, trying to understand her father’s caution. The weather is harsh, with winds blowing at 30 to 35 knots, and the crew is facing heavy icing conditions. It’s a high-risk environment that demands respect.

Despite the risks, Sig teaches Mandy the ins and outs of operating the skiff in these conditions. “You want to come over, and that’s good,” Sig instructs her as he walks her through the process of controlling the boat. “Keep your hand on the throttle, you’re going to speed up and slow down.”

The lesson is tough, as Mandy tries to balance controlling the boat while keeping an eye on the waves and the pots. “Remember, when you’re looking at the pot, you’re also looking at those waves,” Sig advises. “Two things at once.” Mandy is doing her best, but it’s clear she’s not yet comfortable with the equipment. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing,” she admits, laughing nervously. Her father reassures her: “It’s okay, sit this one out, and when we get to the next string, you can go back out there.”

The scene is a reminder of the delicate balance between work and family on the Northwestern. While the crew faces challenges at sea, it’s clear that Sig’s love for his daughter outweighs the rough conditions and the tough nature of the job. He’s not only teaching her about fishing but also about the risks and rewards of life on the water.

With the weather still volatile, Mandy’s first day on deck is a learning experience—one that she’ll never forget. As father and daughter navigate the unpredictable world of crab fishing together, their bond strengthens, proving that no matter how tough the season may be, family always comes first.

And with that, the Northwestern keeps rolling, as Sig Hansen and his crew continue to haul pots, tackle the tough conditions, and navigate the complex world of crab fishing, one pot at a time.