Captain Sig Hansen Just Had a HEART ATTACK Ending His Fishing Career

Sig Hansen’s Near-Death Experience: A Look Into His Heart Attack Scares and Ongoing Health Battles

Sig Hansen, a name synonymous with the Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, has earned a reputation as one of the toughest and most fearless captains in the world of crab fishing. For years, Hansen has braved the treacherous Bering Sea aboard his vessel, the FV Northwestern, and built a loyal following of fans. However, as dangerous as crab fishing is, accidents are bound to happen—and in Hansen’s case, these accidents almost cost him his life.

Hansen’s heart attack in 2016 was a turning point for both him and his fans. The news was shocking, especially considering how many fans had grown to admire his no-nonsense approach to the dangers of the sea. Sig Hansen, with decades of experience under his belt, became a household name when he first appeared on Deadliest Catch in 2005. His leadership and daring actions quickly earned him admiration, with some fans even naming him their favorite captain. However, it wasn’t until Season 12 of Deadliest Catch that fans were forced to confront the reality that their beloved captain was not invincible.

In a memorable moment from the show, Hansen is seen struggling to complete an interview as he suddenly clutched his chest in pain. He was filming the 12th season of Deadliest Catch when he experienced a heart attack while on board the Northwestern. Despite the obvious distress, Hansen stubbornly told the producers that he wasn’t dying and that the season would not end until the Northwestern made it to Seattle. It wasn’t until later that viewers realized how severe Hansen’s health scare was. The Deadliest Catch cameras essentially documented Hansen experiencing a heart attack at sea—a moment that would become one of the most memorable and terrifying scenes in the show’s history.

Hansen, in an interview months later, revealed the shocking truth. He had suffered from a Widowmaker heart attack, a type of heart attack that is particularly deadly due to the location and extent of the blockage. As Hansen explained, when he first started feeling pain in his chest and left arm, he thought it was just muscle soreness or a result of bad sleep. However, by the time he reached the hospital, he was told just how close he had come to dying. The doctors explained that he had a 50/50 chance of surviving the heart attack, and Hansen’s admission that it could have been fatal underscored how lucky he was to make it through.

After his first heart attack, Hansen was determined to return to Deadliest Catch. Despite his brush with death, he resumed filming the next season. However, just a few years later, in 2019, the unthinkable happened again. Hansen suffered a second Widowmaker heart attack. This time, the heart attack occurred during the off-season, but the news was just as shocking to his fans. Hansen revealed the news in the Season 15 premiere of Deadliest Catch, telling his daughter, Mandy, and the crew that he had experienced another heart attack—this one more severe than the first. He went on to explain that one of his arteries was completely blocked, and the doctors had to clear him to continue working as captain of the Northwestern.

Hansen, who had been dealing with a sinus infection, had been taking antibiotics before the heart attack. While driving through Seattle with his wife, he started swelling up and felt an intense pressure in his chest. Although he went straight to the emergency room, he was told that he probably had less than ten minutes to live. The nurse administered an EpiPen to save his life, but the EpiPen caused an adverse reaction, which led to a surge of pain in his chest. It wasn’t long before Hansen was informed that he had gone into cardiac arrest. The allergic reaction to the EpiPen had brought on a heart attack, and Hansen found himself facing the same terrifying situation for the second time.

Despite his harrowing experiences, Hansen chose to return to his work as captain of the Northwestern, even though his health was still a major concern. His daughter Mandy has since taken over the role of captain, but Hansen continues to appear on the show. In interviews, he has admitted that the fear of another heart attack weighs heavily on his mind. His health challenges have changed his perspective on life, and he has acknowledged that getting on the boat has become increasingly difficult for him. He no longer has the same enthusiasm for the job, admitting that he is afraid of what might happen next.

While heart attacks have been the most prominent health challenges Hansen has faced, they are far from the only dangers he has had to confront. Throughout his time on Deadliest Catch, Hansen and his crew have been put in life-threatening situations. In Season 12, episodes 13 and 14, Hansen and his crew faced a fire at sea after a sudden power outage disabled their vessel. Power outages on the Northwestern are dangerous because they leave the crew with no control over the vessel, which can easily drift into dangerous waters. In the case of a fire, the stakes are even higher, and Hansen had to make quick, calm decisions to protect both his crew and the ship.

Despite the intense fear he felt during the fire, Hansen kept his cool and instructed his crew to stay calm. As captain, he knew that his actions would determine whether they survived the emergency. His professionalism and steady leadership were crucial during the fire, and it ultimately ended with the crew safely extinguishing the flames. However, Hansen admitted in interviews that he was just as terrified as anyone else on board. He explained that his calm demeanor was simply a facade to keep the crew focused, as he didn’t want to show how scared he really was.

This terrifying experience, along with his heart attacks, made Hansen reconsider his future on Deadliest Catch. He admitted that he sometimes wondered if it was time to retire, but his dedication to the show and his crew kept him coming back. The Deadliest Catch crew has become a second family to Hansen, and even though he is dealing with significant health issues, he feels a sense of responsibility to continue.

The Deadliest Catch franchise has experienced a number of tragedies over the years. In addition to Hansen’s health scares, the show has been marked by the tragic deaths of other captains and crew members. The most notable loss was the death of Captain Phil Harris in 2010, who suffered a massive stroke while filming the show. Harris died of complications from the stroke, and his passing deeply affected his crew and fans. The show captured his final moments, documenting his struggle in the hospital as he fought for his life.

Another heartbreaking loss occurred in 2020, when Captain Malen Reyes, a fisherman on Deadliest Catch, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 38. Reyes had been a fan favorite and had appeared on the show in multiple seasons. His death came as a shock, as he had no known pre-existing health conditions. He left behind a wife and four children, and his family later revealed that his ashes were scattered at sea in a tribute to his love for the ocean.

The show has also featured the deaths of other fishermen, including Justin Tennyson, who died in 2011 at the age of 33. Tennyson’s death was initially thought to be related to substance abuse, but it was later revealed that complications from sleep apnea were the cause. His passing, along with the deaths of other crew members, has highlighted the harsh and unforgiving nature of life on the Bering Sea.

In addition to health challenges, Deadliest Catch has chronicled the perilous nature of the work itself. Fishermen face the constant threat of their vessels sinking, which can have catastrophic consequences. The FV Big Valley sank in 2005, claiming the lives of five crew members. Similarly, the FV Destination disappeared without a trace, prompting a widespread search. Other vessels, such as the Virginia Boys and the FV Alaska Ranger, have also been lost at sea, resulting in the deaths of multiple crew members.

These tragedies serve as a stark reminder of the dangers that Hansen and other fishermen face every day. While Deadliest Catch showcases the strength and resilience of these men, it also highlights the very real risks of their chosen profession—risks that often come at a heavy personal cost.