He’s Fishing in Our Water! | Deadliest Catch

**American Crab Fishermen Face Off with Russian Trawler in Tense Bering Sea Standoff**

**650 miles Northwest of Dutch Harbor** — In a dramatic day on the Bering Sea, Captain Keith Colburn and his crew on the *Wizard* found themselves fishing in waters close to the Russian border, where tensions rose as a Russian trawler began encroaching on their territory. The *Wizard* crew had pushed farther north this season, hoping for a rich catch near the Maritime border, but instead encountered escalating challenges from both nature and geopolitics.

Fishing next to the Russian border, Captain Keith noted, “We’re farther north than anybody else fishes, right on the edge.” The captain’s high-stakes bet to catch crab in these northern waters was soon interrupted by the appearance of a large Russian trawler moving directly into their gear. Colburn watched as the vessel’s cables tore through his crab pots, potentially causing significant losses.

The *Wizard* crew’s struggle reflects a larger backdrop of rising U.S.-Russia tensions, with military buildups along the Ukrainian border sparking unease in the region. “The Russians seem to think everything’s theirs,” Captain Keith remarked, frustrated with the trawler’s disregard for American fishing boundaries.

Seeking reinforcements, Captain Keith called on Captain Jonathan Hillstrand of the *Time Bandit*. Together, the captains devised “Operation Anvil Drop,” positioning their gear in a tight blockade to deter the Russian trawler from further encroachment. “We’ll wall them off with our pots,” Hillstrand announced. “We’re defending America—right on the front lines.”

Flying American flags as they set their pots, the two crews hoped the display would discourage further interference. The teamwork allowed the captains to create a dense grid, forcing the Russian vessel to either avoid the area or risk damaging its own nets on American fishing gear. “We’re going to cover every last square inch of this area,” Captain Keith declared, determined to protect their fishing grounds.

As Operation Anvil Drop intensified, tensions rose with the risk of crossing into Russian waters. “We’re right on the edge,” Keith warned, maneuvering with caution to avoid an international incident. “I hope we didn’t just start something here,” he said after narrowly keeping his boat within American waters.

The crews of the *Wizard* and *Time Bandit* continue their catch near the border, hoping their stand will secure a bountiful season without further interference from foreign vessels.