“Cursed” Island Throws Summer Bay Around In Rough Water | Deadliest Catch

The Deadly Perils of Saint Paul: A Lifeline for the Crab Fleet

In the northernmost reaches of the Bering Sea lies a treacherous rock—Saint Paul Island. While home to the world’s most prolific crab processing plant, it is also cursed with one of the most dangerous port entrances in the region. Many boats have made their way into its narrow harbor, but not all have made it back out.

As king crab season comes to a close and opilio numbers drop by 88%, the only option for the remaining crab fleet is to deliver their catch to Saint Paul. However, massive waves, a narrow, shallow entrance, and frequent ice buildup make entering the port a gamble with death. Any miscalculation could mean disaster.

A Near-Fatal Attempt

Captain Wild Bill Wichrowski knows the risks all too well. As he sprinted toward the rocky inlet amid 25-foot swells, he realized one wrong move would send his vessel crashing onto the jagged shore.

“I knew that if I didn’t turn, we couldn’t take another wave like that—it would throw us right on the rocks,” he recalled. “I knew it was going to be bad, but I didn’t think it’d be as bad as it was.”

The timing was catastrophic. A monstrous wave broke directly over the wheelhouse, knocking the boat nearly 95 degrees onto its side. Water poured in through the windows, filling the wheelhouse up to Bill’s knees. As the vessel struggled to right itself, unsecured equipment became deadly projectiles, injuring crew members and leaving Bill with cuts across his head.

“We had to clear the point, or we weren’t going to make it,” he said. “The crew got hammered, windows were underwater—it was a nightmare.”

Even after decades at sea, the experience rattled him.

“That had me questioning everything,” he admitted. “I was seriously considering packing my bags. I was that scared.”

One crew member, DJ Campbell, refused to return after the ordeal. “Never again,” he said. “It was just too much.”

A History of Risk and Reward

Saint Paul has been both a blessing and a curse to those who rely on it. In 1945, when native Alaskans were allowed to return home after World War II, they found hope in a booming fishing industry. What started as a lucrative yet grueling fishery transformed into one of the most vital hubs for the commercial crab fleet. Over the decades, Saint Paul has fueled economic growth, transitioning from seal hunting to a crab-driven industry that sustains the remote island community.

But no amount of prosperity can erase the danger.

Every year, captains and crew are forced to roll the dice against Saint Paul’s treacherous harbor. The number of boats fishing for crab may have dwindled, but every single one of them must navigate the deadly port.

Facing the Inevitable

For Captain Wild Bill and others, there’s no avoiding Saint Paul. Despite his decades of experience, the port still haunts him.

“I’ve been doing this for 32 years, and I still have to change my underwear sometimes,” he joked. “That island—it’s a nightmare. Freddy Krueger’s running around up there.”

Yet, at the end of the day, the risk is part of the job.

“All we can do is accept the danger, prepare for it, and keep moving forward,” Bill said. “Because without Saint Paul, there is no crab fishery.”