Sig Hansen FURIOUS With His Anchor Frozen Solid! | Deadliest Catch

Captain Sig Hansen and His Crew Confront a Relentless Storm in the Bering Sea: Anchoring for Survival

As the fishing season heats up, Captain Sig Hansen and his crew find themselves in the midst of one of the most perilous storms they’ve faced in years. The fierce winds are howling, the snow is coming down in blinding sheets, and the sea is growing increasingly violent. The stakes have never been higher for Sig and his crew as they race to secure their vessel and ride out the monster storm.

“We’re right in front of the harbor now, getting ready to anchor,” Sig announces as the wind begins to howl around them. The storm, already brewing, is forecasted to hit with winds topping 60 miles per hour, and with a monstrous 450-mile-wide system pushing across the fishing grounds, it’s clear that Sig must make swift and strategic decisions. Though they are near St. Paul Harbor, known for providing some shelter from the brutal Bering Sea storms, Sig knows the worst is still to come. He’s not just navigating the storm; he’s trying to outsmart it.

“This is going to be crazy out there,” Sig continues, his voice steady despite the mounting pressure. “It’s going to blow 60 tonight, and we’re going to have a serious fight on our hands.” In these harrowing conditions, staying safe is more important than fishing. Sig’s decision to anchor the vessel in the lee of the island is not only an attempt to avoid the worst of the storm, but also a gamble on ensuring the boat and crew will make it through the night intact.

But anchoring in such conditions is no small feat. The crew prepares for a battle against the elements, securing their gear and positioning the boat for what could be hours of tense waiting. The crew knows all too well that getting caught in the storm without a firm anchor could spell disaster, but Sig’s plan involves taking refuge where the wind is slightly more manageable. “We need to stay in this lee, where the wind is coming from the East, but we have to anchor up right here on the edge of the breakwater,” Sig instructs, as the storm’s power continues to grow.

While the captain is sure of his decision to stay in the lee of the island, he’s no stranger to the unpredictable dangers of the Bering Sea. In fact, he recalls a similar situation from the previous season when a risky maneuver nearly led to disaster. “Ask me would I do that again?” Sig reflects. “The answer would be no.” Having narrowly avoided disaster last year, Sig is adamant that they won’t repeat the same mistakes. As the storm intensifies, the pressure on the crew to get everything right is immense.

The anchor must go down quickly, but as the crew begins to work, they quickly realize that the anchor chain is frozen solid—a major complication in an already stressful situation. Sig’s middle brother, Norman, steps in with a solution. He suggests releasing the brake and letting the weight of the anchor chain break free from the ice. Sig, however, is skeptical. “You can’t just set the anchor when it’s blowing like this,” Sig cautions his crew. “You need to listen to me. You have to roll it out first, then set the anchor slowly. No shortcuts.” Sig’s calm leadership is essential in moments like these, where every decision could have life-or-death consequences.

Despite Sig’s concerns, Norman’s plan works. The anchor chain is finally freed, and the crew begins the painstaking process of securing it again. The wind continues to howl, and the waves crash violently against the boat as they fight to secure the anchor. Sig’s patience is tested to the limit, and his frustration with the crew’s slower-than-usual responses is apparent. “You guys need to think for yourselves,” Sig growls, growing increasingly impatient. “If Norman can’t think for himself, get Edgar or someone up here who can. I’m not going back to the wheelhouse until we get this right.”

The anchor still isn’t set firmly, and with the storm worsening, every passing moment is critical. Sig is resolute but knows that he can’t do it all on his own. The rest of the crew must pull together and adapt quickly. As Edgar finally gets into position to help, Sig holds his breath, watching as the anchor chain rattles in the furious wind. “This is going to be a long night,” Sig mutters, bracing himself for whatever comes next.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, the anchor sets in place, and the boat is finally secured. “Thank you, Lord, for that,” Sig says in a rare moment of relief. The crew, exhausted but relieved, takes a collective sigh. “It’s holding together,” Sig says, cautiously optimistic. “The anchor is set, and we’re safe for now. The boat’s not going anywhere.”

But the storm is still far from over. The waves continue to slam against the boat, and the snow is still falling hard. The ground swell from the storm pushes against the boat with immense force, rocking it back and forth as the crew huddles together in the wheelhouse, trying to make sense of the situation. Sig is already considering his next move. “We’re in a bad spot, but we can’t just sit here,” he says, analyzing the situation. “We’ve got to move. If the wind dies down enough, we might be able to get out of here, but for now, we have to ride this out.”

Sig decides to reposition the boat to a new location, closer to Padne Point, which is known to offer better shelter. “It’s a bit of a gamble,” Sig admits, “but we need to find safer waters before this storm gets any worse.” With a steady hand on the helm, Sig guides the boat around to a new location, seeking any refuge he can find from the mounting storm.

When they reach the new location, Sig is relieved to find that the wind has shifted slightly. “We’re in five fathoms now,” Sig says, trying to reassure the crew that they’re in a more stable position. The wind is less intense, but the waves are still pushing hard against the boat. Edgar is still cautious, unwilling to fully commit to the new location. “I don’t know, Captain,” Edgar says. “This doesn’t feel right.”

Sig, however, remains confident. “Let’s see what happens,” he says, willing to trust his instincts. The crew works together to set the anchor one last time, hoping that it will hold against the storm’s onslaught. As the anchor digs in, the boat finally begins to steady. Sig exhales slowly, relieved that the worst of it may finally be over. “I think we’re going to be alright now,” he says, though the storm rages on outside.

Though the crew has secured the boat for the time being, the night is far from over. Sig’s determination and experience have proven invaluable once again, but the storm is still unforgiving. With his boat anchored securely for now, Sig can only wait for the winds to die down and hope that the worst of the storm is behind them.

The lesson for the crew is clear: in the unpredictable and often deadly waters of the Bering Sea, survival requires constant vigilance, quick thinking, and a steady hand at the helm. Sig Hansen and his crew have proven time and again that they are willing to risk it all to survive, but it’s their ability to work together under extreme pressure that has earned them the respect of fellow fishermen. For now, though, the storm is still out there, and Captain Sig Hansen’s primary concern is the safety of his crew, his boat, and ensuring that they make it through the night.