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Deadliest Catch Fans: Tour the Wizard with Captain Keith

April 24, 2012 @ 5:39 pm (Updated: 7:41 am - 4/25/12 )

By Rachel Belle

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Listen to The Deadliest Catch in Ballard: A Tour with Captain Keith

The third episode of the new season of Deadliest Catch airs Tuesday night. But in reality, The Wizard is done for the season, resting up in Ballard, awaiting repairs and a paint job. I met up with Captain Keith for a tour of the 155 foot crabbing boat, that was built for WWII in 1945, and to gossip about the show.

"I've done this 27 years and the most difficult season in 27 years was this year. The weather was brutal, we've had a record, beyond anything that's ever been measured before, for the ice coming down on top of us. It raises the danger level exponentially and puts the boat, the crew and everything at risk."

I asked the Captain why he thinks the show is so popular.

"Before the show even existed, people were always really interested when they found out what I did because there was this perception that it's a really dangerous job. People are captivated by the ocean. Ultimately, the show is successful because they're blue collar guys. They just work hard, do their job. We're not that complex. We're pretty simple, straightforward guys. It's real, it's raw and it's real dangerous."

Which, if you've seen the show, sometimes means conflict.

"We actually work 20 hours a day, so the fatigue, the pain, the misery, the exhaustion: all of that is real and it takes you right to the edge of your nerves. That's why you do see confrontation periodically. Although, I'll be honest, I'm not a real big fan of the editors of the show. There are times when they may take things a little bit out of context. They're not going to show the whole story. They're gonna show the blowup, but they're not gonna show why you blew up. More times than not, when I get upset, it's because someone is putting somebody at risk."

For example, the famous episode where Captain Keith got into a fight with a cameraman.

"That was a young, green, Hollywood type pushing myself and my crew to the edge, time and time again. Finally it came to a head after about seven days of some the most severe weather I've ever had to work in. Your legs are numb from the waist down, you're hanging on to the most wicked white knuckle ride of all time. Picture ten feet of green water coming over that rail, and what it's gonna do to you and the guys. You run downstairs, you have 30 seconds to get that cup of coffee, and the camera guy is drinking the last cup and says, 'Dude, I got stuff to do!' Then he gets edgy and starts getting in my face!? Oh, they didn't get that on tape. Then he gets in my face the second time. The third time? That's strike three. It's game over. It's time to go to your room. In the Bering Sea, that's how we send guys to their room."

Captain Keith also has a softer side, which came out when I asked him if he keeps any lucky charms in the wheelhouse.

"I've got my boy's first baby shoes right there next to me in the wheel house. I've got my lucky little Ichiro bobblehead doll. I probably have too much. I'm a superstitious hoarder, I'm kind of bad that way. But, you know what, if it makes you comfortable, and it works, don't change it."

In a single fishing trip, the Wizard might collect 400,000 pounds of crab. But Captain Keith assures me that there's absolutely no risk of overfishing crabs.

"The Bering Sea is the most well maintained and managed fishery in the planet right now. So, our 90 million pounds that we caught this year, as a fleet collectively, represent one to two percent, literally, of what's actually on the bottom for snow crab. There's billions of snow crabs on the bottom."

Get a tour of the Wizard with Captain Keith! See where the crew sleeps and eats!

More Rachel Belle

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Comments (11)


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  • C"mon Man wrote...
    Astronaut, and Carrier flight deck
    April 24, 2012 9:02 pm
    Still more dangerous,sorry.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BikeNazi wrote...
    This show has jumped the shark
    April 24, 2012 9:59 pm
    Seriously, it's the same thing every episode, every season. If those boats weren't moored here would you even care to do a story on it? While we're remembering old stuff from Seattle can we get a write up on "Almost Live"? Pat Cashman is hilarious!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • AKAF wrote...
    I respect anyone that goes to...
    April 24, 2012 11:10 pm
    I respect anyone that takes time out of their weekend to go Fort Lewis (JBLM) to sign autographs at the PX as Keith did a months ago. A true patriot and gentleman. I'm a true fan of Keith and his crew. lol...carrier flight deck...hear the horn, duck! Not even close.
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  • CH wrote...
    Did he ring your bell? . . . .
    April 25, 2012 5:50 am
    Ding Dong Ding Dong Ding Dong or Ding Ding Ding Ding.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • londot wrote...
    Come on dude
    April 25, 2012 7:26 am
    To consider a job dangerous is the number of people doing that type or work and the number who give their lives doing it. The bearing sea takes more lives per season that any jobs in the military and I've spent 22 years in the military so come on dude...give the skipper a break! They put up with a bunch just so we can eat seafood...they deserve everything they get and almost all of these skippers pay visits to the service members which is SUPER!! the troops like that! Thanks Ms Bell!!
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  • Stevebo wrote...
    RE: BikeNazi and "same old same old"
    April 25, 2012 8:09 am
    BikeNazi, one could effectively argue that just about EVERY show is the "same old thing" over and over again. It's about perspective.

    Clearly others still find the show interesting - even if you don't.

    For myself, the show lost it's appeal to me after watching it for a season - but I appreciate it for what it is.

    I especially find it cool that several of these captains call Washington their home.

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  • clevesside wrote...
    I love this show but.....
    April 25, 2012 8:39 am
    .... eight seasons of the same thing, dangerous and exciting as it is, gets long in the tooth and past its prime. Between tuna guys, lobster guys, river monsters, and weekend fishermen on cable, there's a bit too much. It would be hard to find a inventive angle to crab fishing outside of what we see.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Don of the dead wrote...
    Show Blows
    April 25, 2012 9:13 am
    And your stupid s.u.v. coppy cat crap was the worst thing i've ever seen. John Denver has rolled over in his grave. You killed him bad. You should quit while you're behind.Go see your hero ron j. in Taacoma and get you mike signed.
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  • eddiewhite wrote...
    I really enjoy...
    April 25, 2012 9:15 am
    watching this show but this guy is this biggest winer bully douch on the show. Constantly yelling at his crew because his frustration failing to find crab gets old. And its really classy when hes on the phone with his daughter "Bug" (my girlfriend gets a kick out of that)promissing not to use disgusting chew tabacco while hes putting it in his mouth.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • otmilkr wrote...
    Amazed nobody has typed this
    April 29, 2012 6:52 am
    So I will.... Rachel is kind of hot.... Seems to have a nice personality as well. Note : Hot first, personality second... :-)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • eddiewhite wrote...
    I'm not sure what you're looking at dude...
    April 29, 2012 3:57 pm
    but to each their own I suppose. And that naggy old jewish lady voice mixed in with valley girl is like somebody stabbing me in the ears
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