Keith Colburn FUMES At Deckhand After He Moans About Back Injury! | Deadliest Catch

Racing Against Time: A Dangerous Crew Transfer Amid Typhoon Nori

The crew of the Wizard, led by Captain Keith Coburn, is facing a critical challenge as Typhoon Nori looms on the horizon. With the storm expected to bring winds of up to 50 mph, Captain Keith knows that time is running out. “It’s going to be really nasty out here,” he warns, “It’s supposed to blow 45, maybe 50, 50 plus. We’ve got to get the work done while the weather is still manageable.”

For now, the weather is relatively calm, but the crew’s morale is far from stable. Kevin Stafford, still recovering from a back injury, is struggling to keep up with the demanding work on deck. “Kevin’s not getting any better,” the captain explains. “He’s not paying attention to anything. He’s just thinking about how the pain is affecting him. He’s not making any effort to speed up his work.”

The frustration is mounting. Kevin’s slow pace is hindering the crew’s progress, and Captain Keith is growing increasingly concerned. “For as hard as we’re working, it ain’t worth it,” he says. “It’s a liability to the boat, and it’s a liability to the crew.” Kevin’s movements are stiff and slow, and Captain Keith can see the toll it’s taking. “We need to pick it up, or we’ll end up in trouble,” he warns. “You’ve got to help out. The guys are running circles around you.”

With Kevin unable to perform at full capacity, the crew’s productivity is at risk. A new deckhand is urgently needed, and Keith makes the call to have someone flown in to join the crew. However, with Typhoon Nori fast approaching, there’s little time to spare. “The weather’s about to turn,” Captain Keith explains, “and we need to get this new guy out here as soon as possible.”

The plan is to have the new deckhand transferred to the Wizard by boat, but the timing is critical. A boat is on its way to pick up the new crew member, but it’s unclear whether they will arrive in time before the storm hits. “It’s going to be 20-foot seas,” Captain Keith admits. “I won’t transfer anyone in that kind of weather if it’s unsafe.”

Captain Keith’s anxiety is palpable as he organizes the crew to prepare for the transfer. They rig up a makeshift raft, ensuring that the handoff will go smoothly, even in less-than-ideal conditions. “We’ve got to make sure this is set up perfectly,” Keith stresses. “Even if it’s a little bouncy, we can’t afford any mistakes.”

The crew anxiously waits for word from the other boat. “We’re about 10 miles away,” Captain Keith reports, his eyes scanning the horizon. “We’ve got one shot at this. If we don’t get them now, we might not see them for a week.”

Finally, the other boat comes into view. “There they are,” Captain Keith calls out, relieved but focused. They’re just a few hundred yards away, and the transfer has to happen fast. “Let’s move in for a closer look,” Keith orders, steering the Wizard closer to the boat.

The transfer is a delicate operation. The crew must ensure that everything is in place and that there’s no room for error. As they approach, the seas begin to pick up, and the storm’s approach is more imminent than ever. “We’ve got one shot at this,” Keith reminds his crew. “If we miss it, we’re stuck out here for another week.”

Despite the rising waves, the transfer is completed successfully. The new deckhand is aboard, and the crew can now focus on getting back to work before the storm arrives in full force. The situation is tense, but Captain Keith knows that his team is ready to face the challenges ahead. With Typhoon Nori bearing down, they’ll need every hand on deck to weather the storm and keep the Wizard safe.

This daring transfer highlights the constant unpredictability of life at sea. With dangerous weather approaching and a crew member injured, Captain Keith and his team had no choice but to take risks to keep the operation moving. The stakes were high, but in the world of commercial fishing, every moment counts. As the storm looms closer, the crew of the Wizard prepares to face the storm head-on — together.