The Saga Must Shed Weight to Survive an Ice Storm | Deadliest Catch

Severe Weather Challenges Captain Jake’s Fishing Expedition

In the unforgiving waters, every decision matters. Captain Jake and his crew find themselves battling treacherous conditions as they navigate the unpredictable sea.

“I don’t like the way she’s rolling around,” Captain Jake remarks, highlighting the dangers of excessive weight on the boat’s upper deck. Ice accumulation has significantly slowed their rolls, increasing the risk of capsizing. “See? Like that. Boom, boom, boom. Big wave, done. Game over.”

As the storm intensifies, the situation worsens. “She is not nice tonight,” he mutters, bracing against the relentless force of nature. Complicating matters further, a half-full slack tank adds instability to the vessel. The crew scrambles to manage the crisis.

Still 80 miles away from their intended fishing grounds, Captain Jake makes a difficult choice. “We’re going to start setting here pretty quick. I’ve collected too much ice.” To regain stability, he decides to shed some of the weight above the waterline. “This top layer is making me highly unstable.”

The team moves fast. “Let me know when you guys are ready,” he instructs. They begin offloading pots, each weighing approximately 1,500 pounds, into the raft. The process is slow and grueling, taking ten minutes per pot when it should only take two. “Man, it takes 10 minutes to get the pot ready. It’s crazy.”

With every pot removed, the vessel regains its balance. “I feel better now that my pods are getting taken off. You can feel the vessel, that she’s stabilized now.” However, the relief is bittersweet. Captain Jake is forced to set in an undesirable location. “I’m setting for survival, not setting to fish.”

Faced with worsening conditions, Captain Jake makes the call to head for St. Paul to seek shelter. “I’m going to head to St. Paul, if I can, hide from the weather for a few days.”

The sea remains relentless, challenging even the most seasoned captains. For Captain Jake and his crew, survival takes precedence over the catch, proving once again that nature always has the final say.