The stakes are high for Season 20 of Deadliest Catch as the Red King Crab fishery reopens in Alaska. With millions of slurs potentially on the line, captains are in a battle against time and other fishermen in a competitive derby-style race. It’s an environment Captain Sig Hansen is all too familiar with as fans following him on the show since its inception.
Bringing even more nostalgia to the start of the milestone year is having Jake Anderson aboard the F/V Northwestern again. Hansen extended the olive branch when Anderson found himself a man without a vessel days before the season was set to begin. His protege lost the F/V Saga, which he captained for a decade and held an ownership stake in after honing his skills on the Northwestern almost 18 years ago.
We caught up with Hansen to reflect on the longevity of the show and the challenges his crew faces this season. How is it for you to be here in Season 20 of Deadliest Catch after being there since the beginning? Sig Hansen: I was just flattered we hit Season 10. The fact we hit 20, it’s not just a milestone but I feel like it’s a common practice.
I feel like people expect it. I can’t believe we’ve come this far because people want it. The time went so fast.
I’m awestruck myself. What’s it like to reflect on your journey on the show so far? I just feel like some of the things I’ve seen in the past and morphed to where we are today and the struggles we’ve been through. Losing Captain Phil [Harris], for exam.
