I always wanted to go fishing. I’ve always just loved the ocean; there’s something about it that catches your eye. Mandy Hansen faced a heartbreaking tragedy that shook fans of Deadliest Catch to their core, but did you know that this ordeal nearly cost her more than just her peace of mind? Recently, details about her struggle have emerged, leaving viewers stunned. But before diving into these revelations, let’s talk about Hansen’s journey and her pivotal role on the show.
The Hansens’ lives. Mandy Hansen was born in 1996 to Sig and June Hansen, and she was raised in the culture of fishing around her. Her father, Sig Hansen, is the captain of the famous fishing ship, the Northwestern. Growing up as the daughter of a fishing family’s head, Mandy had firsthand exposure to fishing and even crabbing and sailing those seas. Sig, who acknowledges his daughter’s adventurous character, said, “The kid just wants to be on the water. Anything she can do to be on the water, I think, is in her future, and that’s good.” At the same time, there was one thing that worried Sig—the same thing any parent would worry about if their child is in a risky profession. Sig understood that there would come a time when the survival of his daughter in the dangerous seas would be a matter of concern.
Focusing now on Sig Hansen himself, who was born Sigurd Jonny Hansen on April 28, 1966, in Seattle, Washington. Sig, the oldest of three sons in a Norwegian-American fishing family, grew up by the sea. His father, Sah Hansen, and grandfather introduced crab fishing in Alaska, which enabled crab boats to work throughout the year, thereby reducing their earnings on a seasonal or almost year-end basis. Growing up in a fishing environment, Hansen joined his family’s boat when he was 14 years old and learned from his father and grandfather. Passion for the industry was immense. Hansen even missed school to be on the water. After high school, fishing became his annual round, and he spent about 10 months in Alaska and the Bering Sea. He even caught mackerel and cod in Norway during summers. This commitment was expressed from the beginning. From humble origins as a deckhand on his father’s vessel, Hansen’s early life was a perfect storm of family legacy and personal passion. Growing up in a family of fishermen, with his father and grandfather paving the way, instilled a deep appreciation for the sea. His early experiences not only honed his skills but also forged a connection to the challenges and rewards of commercial fishing.
As Hansen grew older, he continued to hone his skills and knowledge of the industry. At the age of 22, he became a relief skipper, relieving other captains on the Northwestern and doing short-haul stints on other boats in the fleet. By the age of 24, Hansen began running the Northwestern full-time, leading the boat to become a top producer with an excellent safety record. This dedication and leadership did not go unnoticed by the producers of a new show destined for the Discovery Channel, entitled The Deadliest Catch. The show documents the experiences of fishermen on different boats, such as the Northwestern, and aims at portraying the hardships of king and snow crab fishing in Alaskan waters during different seasons. This formidable fleet operates from Dutch Harbor, a port in the Aleutian Islands. Sig Hansen, the captain of the FV Northwestern, was more than just a cast member in the Deadliest Catch; he also contributed to the creation of the reality television show. Without Hansen, the show wouldn’t be what it is today—a show that has gained popularity and acclaim as a good show to watch. Originally, Hansen has been working as a fisherman since he was 14 years old on his family’s boat. One day, he was contacted by Original Productions, the company behind the show. They thought of a documentary series, and Hansen’s input was ideal for the project.
The Deadliest Catch is famous for tension-filled scenes. The Bering Sea’s weather, storms, waves, and low temperatures are unforgiving, and the fishermen are racing against time and quotas. Yet the show is not only about the dangers; it also delves into the personal stories of the fishermen, their families back home, and the challenges they face beyond the unforgiving sea. Hansen’s knowledge of the industry went beyond the technical aspects. He worked closely with the production team, shaping the show’s content and format to ensure it authentically captured the lives of these commercial fishermen. Hansen’s creative input was not limited to the show concept only. To fill in the rest of the cast, he used his influence within the fishing community to introduce other fishermen and captains to the production team to be featured in the show. This group, combining captains, deckhands, and engineers, aimed for a successful catch on the boat. This was not the only role Hansen played; he was also involved in the selection of cast members. He also became the technical consultant of the show and helped the crew in matters concerning crab fishing, including trapping and safety measures. This helped make the show as real as possible in presenting the fishing industry.
The show, The Deadliest Catch, has been hailed for its realism that depicts the fishermen and their feelings. However, it has not been without controversy. Criticisms have claimed it glamorizes the risks. The show takes place in a dangerous area where one fisherman dies weekly on average. However, the Deadliest Catch has remained a popular show, with Discovery Channel airing its 19th season in April 2023. It has even spawned spin-offs like Deadliest Catch: Dungeon Cove, where the captains fish for Dungeness crabs in the waters of Oregon, and Deadliest Catch: Bloodline, where Josh Harris and Casey McManus fish for tuna in Hawaii. In addition to ratings, the show has many achievements, among which are several Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Reality Program. It has also been nominated for the Critics’ Choice Television Awards and Producers Guild of America Awards. It is not mere entertainment, but it has done a very good job of showing fishermen and their families the risks they undertake and the contribution of the fishing sector to the economy of the world. Sig Hansen himself got deserved rewards and was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program in 2006.
Heart attack incidents experienced by Sig Hansen. Sig Hansen knew all too well the risks involved in fishing, especially in the dangerous environment of the Bering Sea. He also has had his own share of adversities, having suffered two major heart attacks in the previous years that have affected his life and work greatly. For instance, in 2016, while shooting Deadliest Catch season 12, Sig Hansen experienced a massive heart attack, commonly referred to as a Widowmaker. This disturbed his heart and left him in critical condition. Taken by helicopter to an Anchorage hospital, the doctors concluded that he was suffering from a stress-induced heart attack. He had troponin levels of 80, which indicated a severe heart attack. He was told by the doctors that he had a 50/50 chance of survival, and the experience was more like dying. This incident was a wake-up call for Hansen, and he became very conscious of the uncertainty of life.
Before the start of the 2018 king crab season, Hansen faced another health complication. A serious allergic reaction to an antibiotic medication resulted in chest discomfort, which can be indicative of another heart attack. Feeling the same, a pale and tired Hansen went to the Anchorage clinic feeling chest pain on his left side. Luckily, it was not a heart attack, but it caused a lot of stress for him and his family. This off-season scare required him to get medical clearance before coming back to film for the show’s 15th season. Hansen’s heart attacks unquestionably affected his life and career. The life-altering accident that occurred in 2016 made him appreciate the temporary nature of life to the extent that he focused on his health and family. While the 2022 scare was not a heart attack per se, Hansen and his family saw their fears resurface. It was a good wake-up call in terms of the dangers associated with the fishing business and the need to protect himself. Even with these unfortunate incidents, Hansen remains focused on commercial fishing and the show Deadliest Catch. He has been an inspiration to his crew and all his fans because of his hardworking nature, determination, and love for the sea.
Tragedy in the Deadliest Catch. Apart from the personal struggles, Hansen has also experienced several losses of friends and fellow professionals. The show itself has also captured several misfortunes, embracing the risks that these fishermen encounter. Another occurrence was the capsizing of the FV Destination during the show’s 13th season, in the episode titled Lost at Sea. Sig Hansen was friends with the captain of the Destination, Jeff Hathaway. Hathaway and his entire crew disappeared on February 11, 2017, while fishing near St. George Island, Alaska. Nothing was ever seen of the boat or the crew again except several lobster pots floating on the sea. The NTSB later observed that the enormous weight of ice formed on the surface of the vessel because of severe climatic conditions led to the toppling of the Destination. This event affected Hansen emotionally, as he seemed to be distraught by the loss.
Another tragedy was the death of 34-year-old deckhand Justin Tennison from the Time Bandit. Tennison died in his sleep, and the news of his death was confirmed on February 22, 2011. His death was first deemed inconclusive, but an autopsy report stated that the cause of death was due to sleep apnea. Tennison’s death was addressed in season 8, where Captain Jonathan Hillstrand carried his ashes and attempted to find a suitable place for them at sea. This loss came just months after the passing of Cornelia Marie’s skipper, Phil Harris. The loss of the popular Phil Harris, skipper of the Cornelia Marie, remains a defining tragedy
