Sig Hansen: “This Is The Worst Day Of My Entire Life”

Tragic Crab Boat Rescue: A Fight for Survival Amid Stormy Seas

A crab boat with strong ties to Seattle, the Patricia Lee, recently went down off the coast of Alaska, prompting an intense search for five missing crew members. The tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who work at sea, as described by Captain Sig Hansen, who once said, “Imagine the worst day of your life,” after a similar incident in 2017, when the FV Destination sank in the Bering Sea, killing all six crew members on board.

As the Patricia Lee was battered by a monstrous wave, the storm raged over the crew, plunging them into a race against time. Deckhand Dean Francis found himself trapped between two massive anchor pots, with his life hanging in the balance as the storm worsened. The urgent priority was to stabilize Francis’ condition, as a major injury to his iliac artery could prove fatal.

With the storm worsening by the minute, the Patricia Lee crew’s efforts to get to safety became increasingly desperate. They aimed to reach Dutch Harbor, just 100 miles away, where a Coast Guard helicopter could help transport Francis to medical aid. However, as the storm’s intensity increased, the window for a successful rescue rapidly shrank.

A helicopter was soon dispatched, but conditions at Dutch Harbor were worsening, and the mission was becoming more dangerous. The Coast Guard team faced the near-impossible task of completing a rescue in 39-knot headwinds, with the helicopter’s fuel gauge ticking down. They had just 20 minutes to successfully lower a rescue swimmer onto the deck, secure Francis, and lift them both back into the helicopter.

Despite the immense pressure, the Coast Guard team executed the mission flawlessly. They managed to pull Francis to safety, battling the strong winds and the unpredictable movement of the ship’s deck. The teamwork, precision, and courage of the rescuers were evident, and their commitment to saving lives was put on full display.

After successfully rescuing Francis, the helicopter returned to base, and the crew member was transported to a hospital in Anchorage. As the operation concluded, relief and gratitude filled the air. While the rescue was a triumph, the aftermath of the storm brought its own challenges, as the Patricia Lee crew and others grappled with the losses and uncertainty left in the wake of the storm.

The atmosphere remained heavy as news emerged of the sinking of another crab boat, the Scandies Rose. The Coast Guard, having called off the search for missing fishermen, learned that two survivors were found. Amid this, new concerns arose when news reached them that Todd, a recently replaced crew member on the Patricia Lee, was involved in a serious injury incident. With the stakes higher than ever, the Coast Guard team was dispatched once again to face the difficult conditions and navigate the perilous waters of the Alaskan coast.

As the search continued, the Coast Guard’s presence and dedication were unyielding. The weight of the loss felt by the fishermen and the Coast Guard crew alike was palpable, and their resilience shone through as they braced themselves for whatever came next. The loss of a fellow crew member, combined with the near-constant danger at sea, deepened the bond between the men and women who face these risks daily.

Despite the trials of the season, the crab fishing community rallied together, finding strength in one another as they pushed through these dangerous and uncertain waters. The season ended with a sense of accomplishment, but with the lingering uncertainty of whether the industry would survive the following year. Regardless, the resolve of the crew members and their unwavering support for one another demonstrated the strength of their shared commitment to the sea.

The storm may have passed, but the scars and memories remain, reminding everyone of the perilous world that exists at sea, where bravery and resilience are tested with each new challenge.