The Wizard’s Deckhand KNOCKED OUT Cold By Block Of Ice! | Deadliest Catch

Ice, Injuries, and Intense Weather: A Dangerous Day on Deadliest Catch

It’s another grueling day for the crew of the Deadliest Catch, with Captain Keith Coburn preparing to set his first pots of the winter season. But things are not going smoothly—faced with the challenges of icy conditions, a frozen deck, and relentless weather, the crew is in for a difficult and dangerous task.

The Battle Against Ice and Cold Weather

As the crew begins their work, Captain Keith calls out instructions: “We’ve made a lot of ice tonight, it’s going to be a pain in the ass.” The weather is frigid, with the deck completely covered in ice, and the mesh is sealed in. Safety is paramount, as Keith reminds his crew to stay warm and take things slow.

Despite the freezing conditions, the work continues, with the crew chipping away at the ice to make the work area safer. However, the icy terrain makes everything harder—workers struggle to stay warm while contending with slippery surfaces and freezing temperatures.

“Stay sharp, there’s some big swells out here,” Keith warns, and moments later, a huge swell crashes onto the boat. The icy conditions and rough seas have everyone on edge as they race against time to get the pots into the water.

A Serious Accident on Deck

Amid the chaos of the icy conditions, disaster strikes when a massive chunk of ice, weighing seven pounds, falls from the crane and strikes 36-year-old deckhand OJ Gonis. The impact leaves him dazed and motionless on the deck, and the crew rushes to his aid.

“OJ’s knocked out!” someone yells as the crew scrambles to stabilize him. They carefully move him, keeping his neck secure and trying to assess the damage. There’s blood on his face, and his eyes remain closed after the impact. “Has he even blinked or anything?” someone asks, clearly concerned for OJ’s well-being.

Captain Keith quickly makes the decision to treat this like a concussion, not taking any chances with OJ’s condition. Despite OJ appearing normal, Captain Keith is cautious, knowing that head injuries, even seemingly minor ones, can be fatal if ignored.

A Close Call and a Quick Recovery

As the crew works to get OJ into the house for further evaluation, there’s relief when it’s revealed that the injury isn’t as serious as it first appeared. “It looks like a little nick,” OJ reassures his crew. However, Captain Keith isn’t convinced. He insists that OJ cannot return to the deck right away, treating the injury with the utmost caution. “We’ve got to treat this like a concussion,” he says firmly.

Despite the clear signs of injury, OJ seems to brush off the situation. “No, I’m good to go,” he insists. But Captain Keith won’t risk further injury. “You’re not going back out right now,” he states, showing concern for OJ’s long-term safety.

As the crew checks OJ’s condition, they find that there’s no swelling or immediate signs of a traumatic brain injury. “How’s your head feel now?” one crew member asks, pressing on his head gently. OJ insists he feels fine, though he’s still visibly shaken from the incident. “Just press on it, and is it feeling better now?” they ask, showing continued care.

Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

Though OJ seems to recover quickly, Captain Keith is shaken by the incident. The crew reflects on how different the situation might have been if OJ hadn’t been wearing all his protective gear. “Can you imagine if he got hit with just a hood on?” one of the crew members comments. The padded gear may have saved him from more serious injury, but it’s a stark reminder of how dangerous this job can be.

Days later, as Captain Keith and Monty pull up on their first western Bear Dye string of the winter season, they remain vigilant. Despite the dangers, the crew presses on, undeterred by the tough conditions. “Take it easy,” Captain Keith reminds OJ, emphasizing the importance of safety, no matter how urgent the work.

As the season progresses, the crew will no doubt face more challenges, but for now, OJ is recovering, and the crew has learned yet again how important safety and preparation are in their dangerous line of work.