Freddy Gets Bashed By Wave Onboard The Wizard | Deadliest Catch

Braving the Storm: The Wizard Battles Through Typhoon Nori

500 miles north of Dutch Harbor, the crew of the Wizard faced a relentless battle against the elements. What started as bad weather quickly escalated into a serious storm, testing the endurance of both the vessel and its crew.

A Relentless Onslaught

“Holy smokes, it’s getting nautical!” came the call as Captain Keith Colburn and his team braced for impact. With waves towering at 25 feet, the Wizard was at the mercy of Typhoon Nori. “Guys, there’s a big greenie coming on the port side—hang on!” The warning barely gave the crew time to react before a massive wave crashed over the rail.

Among those hit hardest was seasoned deckhand Freddie Mugatai. The wave slammed him against the launcher before he crumpled onto the deck. “Freddie, don’t move,” came the urgent command. Struggling through the pain, he insisted he was fine. But Captain Colburn wasn’t about to take any chances. “I need to check for broken bones,” he said, carefully assessing Freddie’s injuries.

Despite a bruised hip and shaken nerves, Freddie was determined to push on. “Freddie, you’re not going back out right now,” Keith insisted. But true to his reputation, the deckhand returned to work faster than expected. “Freddie’s too proud to show any weakness,” the captain acknowledged.

A Battlefield at Sea

As the storm continued, the Wizard’s crew battled exhaustion, freezing waves, and the unpredictability of the ocean. “This isn’t a playing field—it’s a battlefield,” one crew member remarked. But despite the relentless conditions, they persevered.

Captain Colburn’s strategy was clear: push through and fill the tanks. “See all these strings? Boom, boom, boom! We’ve already pulled them up, averaging 85 to 90 crabs per string. Let’s fill those tanks today!”

The grueling effort paid off. With haul after haul, the crew began to see the rewards of their hard labor. “This is what I like to see!” Keith cheered as they pulled in a record 103 crabs in a single pot. “That’s how we want to end the trip!”

Victory Through Perseverance

With the storm finally at their backs and their tanks full, the Wizard made its way to port. “I was questioning myself the last couple of days,” Captain Colburn admitted. “Anytime you gamble this big, there’s doubt. But we pulled through.”

In the end, it was more than just another fishing trip—it was a testament to the grit, determination, and resilience of the Wizard’s crew. “Nobody gave us those crabs,” Keith said. “It took hard work, dedication, and perseverance. That’s why we’ve been successful for years.”

As the Wizard sailed toward home, one thing was clear: in the brutal world of crab fishing, only the strongest survive.