INTERVIEW: Captain Sig Hansen readies for 10th season of ‘Deadliest Catch’

Sig Hansen, captain of the Northwestern fishing boat, must bleed saltwater. He’s been fishing since he was 14 years old, inheriting the love of the ocean from his father and other relatives in the family. Each and every season he sets his eyes on the main prize: catching as much king crab as possible off the coast of Alaska. The conditions are harsh, but the payoff can be enormous.

Hansen, subject of Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, is one of the highlights on the 10th season of the hit reality series, which airs 9 p.m. Tuesdays. Recently, Hansen exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox. Answers have been slightly edited for style.

As the son of a Norwegian fisherman, do you believe one needs to be born into fishing to last in the harsh terrain off the coasts of Alaska?

I can tell you one thing and that is when you are born into a fishing family you [definitely] have a sense of pride. There is a history behind your [family’s] background. You feel a sense of responsibility for your family name. I think it gives you an edge because you are there for more than one reason, and you have to back it up every season. You certainly don’t need to be born into it to love it as much as I do. As far as the harsh conditions, well, fishing is fishing  

When you first became a full-time captain, what went through your head? Did you feel prepared or scared?

I was asked to be captain while I was home on a break. The crew would rotate each fishing trip. The captain at the time needed to go home, and I was unaware that the crew basically insisted that I was given a shot at the wheel. At age 22, I was not afraid at all. It was a challenge for me. As far as being prepared, I thought I was but soon learned that was not the case. I had to learn on my own and develop my own style of managing crew and fishing strategy. Basically my learning curve was at my crew’s expense, and I sincerely thank them for that.

Do you enjoy watching Deadliest Catch or prefer not to watch?

I enjoy watching the show more now than I did in the beginning. Before, I would drive my family crazy having to think I need to explain certain sequence of events. Now I like to see the difference between my boat and others. It’s a great show!

What has been the biggest change to your life since the success of Deadliest Catch?

I never thought I would have to own a daily planner! We are so busy during our OFF time with promoting the show and our own products it’s crazy. Add to that all the charity events we do and still keeping the boat busy and maintained. It’s a whole new world!

On your website, you discuss the lack of major accidents aboard the Northwestern. Why do you think your ship has been so safe?

Without question, we have a great crew, and we don’t go through a lot of different crew members. That’s the key! Everyone knows the boat. I’ve said it before — if you put a captain and crew on a boat they have never worked on before, watch out! Bad things will happen … Know your boat.

What would you tell a greenhorn who is thinking about crab fishing for a living?

I would encourage anyone to go crab fishing for the experience! I know a lot of guys that took some fast money from fishing and used it for school or invested in real estate, etc. As for making it their living, I would think twice. There are no guarantees, no retirement, no pity, when you break yourself or it breaks you.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Deadliest Catch airs on Discovery Tuesdays at 9 p.m.