The Wizard Has MASSIVE Issues! | Deadliest Catch

Stormy Waters on the Wizard: Captain Keith Grapples with Crew Changes and Setbacks

The life of a Bering Sea crab fisherman is relentless, as Captain Keith Colburn of the Wizard knows too well. This season, Keith is confronted with a cascade of challenges that test his leadership and the resilience of his crew.

Amy’s Departure: A Difficult Farewell

In a moment of reflection, Keith pulls Amy aside for a private conversation. The young deckhand has fought hard to keep up with the physical demands of life on deck, but Keith recognizes the toll it’s taken.

“Amy,” Keith begins, “I’ll be honest. You’ve proven you can do this job. But right now, your worst critic isn’t me, the old guys, or even the young guys. It’s her—the boat. She wants to work and work, and we’re losing production. That’s why I’d like to replace you.”

Keith’s words are blunt, but his tone carries a mix of respect and frustration. He acknowledges her grit, adding, “I’ve had 50 greenhorns fold under less pain than you’ve endured.”

Amy walks away with $15,000 from the Wizard’s $585,000 offload, her contributions not unnoticed. But for Keith and the remaining crew, the reality is clear: the boat needs someone stronger to keep pace.

The Newcomer: 21-Year-Old Greenhorn Riel Greenway

As the Wizard gears up for its next run, 21-year-old greenhorn Riel Greenway joins the ranks. Keith is cautiously optimistic, stating, “It’ll be nice to have someone who can carry jugs and bait instead of us doing it for him.”

The optimism is short-lived. Within hours of his arrival, Riel approaches Keith with a troubling confession: his titanium knee has dislocated.

A Captain’s Dilemma: Honesty, Safety, and Consequences

Keith calls Riel into the gear room for a tense conversation. The captain’s voice is sharp, demanding answers.

“What happened? Has this happened before?”

Riel admits that it has. He explains he had a titanium knee replacement at age 14 and that the injury has occurred multiple times since.

Keith is incredulous. “Why didn’t you tell me this before taking the job? You knew this could happen, and now I’ve got a crew short-handed.”

Riel tries to explain that during a similar incident on another boat, the captain continued fishing, sidelining him for a few days. But Keith is having none of it.

“You’ve been dishonest with me, with the crew, and with yourself. Now we’re down a man, and the rest of the guys are stuck with longer shifts. This is unacceptable.”

The Cost of Trust Broken

The implications of Riel’s injury ripple through the Wizard. Keith is now faced with a tough decision: risk continuing to fish with an injured crew member or return to port. Northerly winds at 45 knots make the latter option dangerous and logistically impractical.

“We’re barely into this trip, and we’re already short-handed. I hired a guy who shouldn’t have been on this boat,” Keith says, frustration evident.

The crew works to adapt, but the mood is tense. Riel is confined to his bunk, sidelined for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, the rest of the crew grapples with exhaustion and frustration, left to cover the work of their missing teammate.

Resilience Amid Adversity

The Wizard presses forward, hauling gear and battling the elements. For Keith, the episode serves as a sobering reminder of the stakes: every decision, every hire, and every mistake can have far-reaching consequences in the unforgiving Bering Sea.

“We didn’t vet this guy properly, and now we’re paying for it. This job isn’t for everyone, and every day brings something new. But we have no choice but to push through,” Keith reflects.

Despite the setback, the crew shows their resilience. The Wizard is down a man, but their determination remains unshaken. For Captain Keith, it’s another chapter in the relentless pursuit of survival and success on one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.