15 Deadliest Catch Ships Ranked: Who Will Come Out on Top?

15 Deadliest Catch Ships Ranked: Who Will Come Out on Top?

 

The Deadliest Catch boats are as big a symbol of the Discovery Channel reality series as the oversized Alaskan king crab and snow crab they hunt for in the blistering Bering Sea. While there are some parts of Deadliest Catch that are faked in the way Discovery reality series often are, those are real boats out on the freezing and tumultuous North Atlantic Ocean, weighing upwards of 370 tons. The sight of one of these behemoth and industrial, but somehow nostalgic, ships blasting through ocean spray as gulls soar overhead is a defining shot of the series.

Names like Northwestern, Seabrooke, and Wizard are as tied to the show as Sig Hansen, Phil Harris, and Keith Colburn. With F/V as a prefix (“Fishing Vessel”), the boats on Deadliest Catch set out from Alaskan harbors in the October king crab and January opilio crab (snow crab) seasons. Narrated by Mike Rowe, Deadliest Catch has been on the air since 2005, outlasting many similar Discovery Channel shows that have been forgotten over the years. The crabbing vessels are one of the most impressive aspects of the show: a filming set, home, and source of danger.

15F/V Arctic Dawn

Pilot

The F/V Arctic Dawn may not be the most well known ship on Deadliest Catch, but it still deserves a special mention due to the fact that it was one of the few vessels featured in the three-part pilot miniseries America’s Deadliest Season. Without Thom Beers’ decision to follow the Arctic Dawn with a film crew during the 2003-2004 crab season, Deadliest Catch may never have existed as a show.

F/V Arctic Dawn never returned to Deadliest Catch, but it remains an important part of the show’s history. Unfortunately, it’s also a ship that’s been plagued with misfortune since the show itself aired. After being retired from fishing crab in 2005, and taking a complete break in 2009, F/V Arctic Dawn caught fire while moored in the Lake Washington Ship Canal in 2010 (via gcaptain). This wasn’t the end of the ships’ troubles, however, as former captain Clarence “Ole” Helgevod, who was featured in the Deadliest Catch pilot, was charged with a DUI and manslaughter in Alaska in 2017 (via Los Angeles Daily News)

Alongside F/V Arctic Dawn , the 3 episode Deadliest Catch pilot, America’s Deadliest Season, also followed the F/V Northwestern, Erla-N, Saga, and F/V Sea Star.

14F/V Kodiak

Seasons 6-8

F/V Kodiak is one of the shortest-lived boats on Deadliest Catch among those that appeared in more than one season, having only been featured during the shows’ midpoint from season 6 to season 8. Built in 1978 and named after its town of origin, Alaska’s Kodiak, F/V Kodiak is 111ft in length, and remains one of the weaker Deadliest Catch ships. While it was piloted by Wild Bill Wichrowski, one of the most entertaining captains in Deadliest Catch, the skipper moved on to the F/V Cape Caution in season 9, and the Kodiak was never seen in the show again.

Still, while it’s not one of the most memorable Deadliest Catch vessels by the 2020s, it was eagerly anticipated when it arrived in 2010’s season 6. Much like the F/V Arctic Dawn, the F/V Kodiak is worth remembering when it comes to the wider history of the show and the wealth of vessels featured in all 19 seasons so far, as it was a talking point for fans when it debuted.

13F/V Billikin

Seasons 1 & 18

There have been many ships in the history of Deadliest Catch that left after either a single or handful of seasons, only to later return with a new captain at a later point in the show’s run. However, few had such a lengthy leave of absence as F/V Billikin. Built in 1973 in Seattle, the Billikin is a 132ft scooner that was first introduced to Deadliest Catch viewers all the way back in 2005’s season 1. It was then captained by Jeff Weeks, though both he and F/V Billikin didn’t return for Deadliest Catch season 2.

However, 17 years later, F/V Billikin returned in Deadliest Catch season 18. By this point, of course, the Discovery series was a markedly different show, with plenty of years to polish its formula and find what truly worked (which also a key reason for the show has managed to remain on air for almost 20 years). When F/V Billikin was seen again, it was Steve “Harley” Davidson at the helm. Sadly for this blast from Deadliest Catch‘s past, Davidson wouldn’t carry the Billikin with him into season 19, and instead was co-captain of the F/V Barbara J alongside Jack Bunnell.

12F/V Lady Alaska

Season 1, Seasons 16 & 17

While it didn’t take quite as long a break as F/V Billikin, the grandly named F/V Lady Alaska is another Deadliest Catch ship that most fans thought retired on the show after the first season, and were surprised to see it return over a decade later. During Deadliest Catch season 1, F/V Lady Alaska had captain Peter Liske at the helm, though like Jeff Weeks of the F/V Billikin, Liske didn’t return to the show after its debut outing in 2005.

Fast-forward to 2020, and Deadliest Catch once again followed the F/V Lady Alaska as the ship and its crew braved the waves of the Bering Sea in search of elusive yet lucrative hauls of crab. During F/V Lady Alaska’s second stint on Deadliest Catch, it was helmed by none other than show veteran Scott Campbell Jr., a regular from seasons 7-10.

11F/V Cape Caution

Seasons 9-12

F/V Cape Caution may be more remembered for its captain, “Wild” Bill Wichrowski, but it deserves consideration among all the Deadliest Catch ships due to its prominence between seasons 9 and 12 (2013 to 2016). Bill Wichrowski has always been a fan-favorite when it comes to Deadliest Catch captains, and because of this, the Cape Caution was considered by many to be one of the “main” vessels on the show before it was retired prior to season 13.

This was when Bill Wichrowski moved over to the F/V Summer Bay, and so Cape Caution hasn’t been seen since. He remains with Summer Bay as of Deadliest Catch season 19, and his second vessel has become tied much closer to the captain than his original. Also worthy of note is that, at just over 98 ft long, F/V Cape Caution was on the shorter side when it came to the ships on Deadliest Catch.

10F/V Southern Wind

Seasons 15-18

F/V Southern Wind first appeared on Deadliest Catch alongside its captain Steve “Harley” Davidson in season 15, though they may have been filmed earlier. Something fans may not know about Deadliest Catch is that boats and crews are often filmed without making it onto the show some seasons. It’s a wonder Southern Wind never made it on the series in the past, considering Harley’s hot temper and his willingness to spot-check other boats’ pots.

The ship’s home port is Seattle, Washington, and was previously named Seahawker and Sablefish (via DeadliestFleet). It’s 43.90 meters in length (about 144 feet, or almost half a gridiron football field) and weighs 493 tons. Built in 1980, Southern Wind is a powerful-looking vessel capable of competing with the top ships in the show for crab as well as for drama.

9F/V Aleutian Lady

Seasons 19-Present

Rick Shelford and F/V Aleutian Lady may be relative newcomers to the series, but they’re an exciting new addition with an eye-catching royal blue hull. The boat was built in 1980 by the Nichols brothers out of a Washington shipyard (via NicholsBoats), and is 125 feet in length (via ShelfordFisheries). It’s capable of carrying 189 tons and can host a crew of 5-8 men. Rick Shelford, the captain of the vessel, has previously appeared on the show working on other ships.

F/V Aleutian Lady belongs to Shelford Fisheries, a family-owned company headed by Rick’s father, Rick.

It’s been an adventure watching Shelford grow from a greenhorn into the captain of his own ship, gaining confidence along the way. Sometimes it feels like he’s gained a bit too much confidence, however, and he’s often more than willing to steer Aleutian Lady into situations that more veteran crab boat captains would want to avoid.

8F/V Seabrooke

Seasons 7-10, 16, Present

Many fans will recognize F/V Seabrooke as the home of the late Mahlon Reyes on Deadliest Catch, who passed away on July 27, 2020 in his home at the age of 38. The Seabrooke has only appeared on and off on Deadliest Catch, but it’s unmistakable with its bright red hull and fast speed, like a corvette out on the ocean. Captained by Scott Campbell, Jr. for most of its run, Seabrooke was an exciting vessel on the show, but unfortunately, Campbell had to take a break after a back injury forced him to have surgery (via Tri-City Herald).

Seabrooke returns in season 20, now helmed by Sophia “Bob” Nielsen, one of the few female captains in the fleet. First appearing on the show in season 19 as a deckhand, Bob made her way to the cockpit of Seabrooke in season 20. Originally working on Saga, Bob hoped to take over her family’s boat, Victory, but she has a powerful ship in Seabrooke (via WBD).

7F/V Brenna A

Seasons 12-15, 18

Sean Dwyer, captain of F/V Brenna A, is one of the youngest captains in the fleet, but he isn’t a greenhorn by any means. Fans have watched Dwyer work on Brenna A‘s sister, Jennifer A, in previous seasons before taking up the mantle of Brenna A, making the ship an important part of Dwyer’s journey. An unremarkable vessel in some respects, Brenna A is a solid and reliable boat that seems to generally have success on the open seas.

Brenna A is 35 meters in length (114 feet), making it one of the smaller boats in Deadliest Catch (via DeadliestFleet). The ship is owned by Jenny Gore Dwyer, Sean’s mother, and it was Sean’s father’s dying wish that Sean captain one of their family boats (via Discovery). It’s a family affair for Brenna A, and its plucky resolve in the sea with its small frame gives the ship a sort of underdog feel when up against its larger counterparts.

6F/V Summer Bay

Seasons 13-Present

F/V Summer Bay could almost be a luxury vessel looking at it just by the hull. With its powder blue paint and the warm-sounding name of Summer Bay, it’s one of the most beautiful vessels in Deadliest Catch. The ship is out of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and is 32 meters in length (105 feet), capable of carrying 196 tons of crab (via DeadliestFleet). While its coloring, name, and size may suggest Summer Bay is a dainty ship, Captain “Wild” Bill Wichrowski is anything but.

Bill burst onto the series, earning his nickname by performing surprising and dangerous maneuvers with Summer Bay, and developing some rivalries between other crews. However, recent seasons have seen Bill mellow, and in season 19, Bill brought on fishing celebrity Linda Greenlaw to captain. Greenlaw was played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in Wolfgang Petersen’s thrilling movieThe Perfect Storm, based on the true story of a Boston swordfish boat.

5F/V Saga

Seasons 1, 9-19

F/V Saga has been piloted by many captains over its long run on Deadliest Catch, even being the training vessel for Sophia “Bob” Nielsen before she took over the helm of Seabrooke in season 20. However, Saga really belongs to Jake Anderson out of any of the captains. Anderson is one of the most volatile captains in Deadliest Catch, and before getting the position he moved around ships often butting heads with other crewmates and frequently being demoted.

After becoming captain of his own ship, Anderson quickly matured, considering this new responsibility a chance to change his firebrand ways. Out of Kodiak, Alaska, Saga is 33 meters (108 feet) long and can carry 198 tons of crab on a journey (via DeadliestFleet). Saga is a powerful-looking dark blue boat that could almost be something the Coast Guard uses to patrol.

4F/V Wizard

Season 3-Present

F/V Wizard is an old ship, built in 1945 by the Ira S. Bushey shipyard for use by the U.S. Navy (via DeadliestFleet), making it a powerful juggernaut capable of facing even the harshest North Atlantic storms. At 48 meters (157 feet), it’s over half a gridiron football field in length and capable of carrying nearly 500 tons of crab, and thus one of the biggest boats in the series. Keith Colburn has helmed the ship since its first appearance in season 3, with some help from his brother Monte “Mouse” Colburn.

Keith is not the most well-liked captain, often prickly in his demeanor, but his results speak for themselves, and in later seasons he’s tried to keep a more even keel. Wizard also benefits from having Freddy Maugatai as a part of its crew, and his bombastic and larger-than-life personality has ensured that the boat often gets screen time in Deadliest Catch.

Freddy has jumped around ships, including working on Time Bandit and Cornelia Marie .

3F/V Time Bandit

Seasons 2-13, 17-Present

F/V Time Bandit is a vessel out of Homer, AK (via DeadliestFleet). At 34 meters (112 feet) and capable of carrying nearly 300 tons of crab, it’s a fairly standard fishing boat on Deadliest Catch. But what makes it one of the best in the series is its appearance, complete with a pirate flag skull and crossbones on the bow. Based on this design, one might expect the captain to be an angry man, but Johnathan Hillstrand is not that man.

Hillstrand’s father designed Time Bandit with some unheard-of luxuries on it, including a four-man sauna, staterooms with queen-size beds, and a dishwasher, making the vessel feel more like a home than any other ship (via GiddingsBoatworks). Jonathan is a practical joker on the ship and lets problems that would bother other captains roll off his shoulders. His brother Andy may be a bit more serious, but he’s also one to never forget that he’s doing a job he loves.

2F/V Cornelia Marie

Seasons 2-7, 10-18

 

It’s hard to talk about F/V Cornelia Marie without also bringing up Captain Phil Harris. Harris was the first captain of the fishing boat when it appeared in season 2 and was a no-nonsense, unapologetic captain who had countless memorable moments on the series, becoming a fan favorite. He would often have real arguments with his sons who worked on the boat, Joshua and Jake, making for some affecting drama. Harris passed on February 9, 2010, from an intracranial hemorrhage, the lead-up to which was captured on film.

It was a tragic loss and every time the yellow and blue Cornelia Marie comes on the screen, crashing through ice or sailing through waves, it’s hard not to picture Harris up in the cockpit. 39 meters (128 feet) long and capable of carrying nearly 300 tons (via DeadliestFleet), Cornelia Marie has always been one of the more successful boats on the show and a gorgeous one at that.

  1   F/V Northwestern

Seasons 1-Present

F/V Northwestern is the quintessential Deadliest Catch fishing boat. It’s appeared in every season of the show and its captain, Sig Hansen, is the unofficial main character of the series. Sig’s family is also a big part of the boat, working as crew members or taking turns at the helm. Sig is a hard-driving captain who doesn’t accept failure or fools easily. His crew puts up with his ambition, however, because of the success of Northwestern and Sig’s keen sense of where the crabs will be.

Northwestern is a beautiful white ship with blue and red decals that make it instantly recognizable when it appears on the waves. It’s 38 meters (125 feet) in length and capable of carrying 197 tons of crab, via DeadliestFleet. Northwestern is what comes to mind when one thinks “Deadliest Catch” or “fishing boat”. It’s essentially the banner boat of the series.