# They WARNED Us About Sig Hansen From Deadliest Catch… We Didn’t Listen
For years, Captain Sig Hansen has been a fan favorite on *Deadliest Catch*, the Discovery Channel’s gripping reality series that premiered on April 12, 2005. The show, which follows crab fishermen battling the brutal Bering Sea during Alaskan king crab and snow crab seasons, has captivated audiences with its raw portrayal of danger and skill.
Hansen, captain of the F/V Northwestern, emerged as a symbol of toughness, navigating treacherous waters and fierce storms. Yet, behind the cameras, warnings about his health struggles, family pressures, and the toll of crab fishing have lingered—warnings many ignored until now.
*Deadliest Catch* isn’t just entertainment; it’s a window into one of the world’s most hazardous jobs, with a fatality rate of 141.7 per 100,000, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2006.
Filmed in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, the series showcases fishermen dodging swinging crab pots, battling gale-force winds, and risking hypothermia or drowning—over 80% of deaths result from these causes.
Hansen, at 59, has spent decades in this unforgiving environment, facing not only nature’s wrath but also personal demons. In interviews with Fox News Digital, he revealed dangerous decisions driven by ego, like icing down his boat for profit over safety, nearly costing him everything.
Health scares have shadowed Hansen’s career. A heart attack at sea forced him to confront his mortality, leaving him questioning whether he should have retired sooner.
“Maybe I should have hung up the spurs a long time ago,” he admitted, reflecting on regrets and the strain on his family. Another near-fatal incident saw him survive a severe infection after a fall on ice, narrowly avoiding death thanks to timely medical intervention. These moments, coupled with a fire on board with his daughter Mandy present, underscore the constant peril he faces. “Had that fire broken out an hour earlier, we’d have been in big trouble,” he recalled.
Beyond physical risks, Hansen carries emotional scars from past mistakes. Early in his career, a lapse in attention led to a crew member’s severe back injury during a storm, a memory that still haunts him.
“It’s seconds, not minutes, where things can happen,” he noted, learning never to be distracted in the wheelhouse. The ocean continues to humble him, teaching harsh lessons through every icy wave and near-disaster.
Family ties add another layer of complexity. Hansen’s reflections on fatherhood and grandfatherhood reveal a longing to make up for lost time with loved ones, intensified by his health crises. As he contemplates retirement, he ponders giving his remaining years to his wife, who has waited decades for his return from sea.
Despite these challenges, Hansen persists, recently teaming up with Captain Jonathan Hillstrand in Season 21 to chase rumored giant king crab. His resilience is undeniable, but the warnings about his health and the brutal toll of his career are now impossible to ignore. Will Sig Hansen finally step away, or will the Bering Sea claim more of him?
