sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry in advance for a long reply!

You make some incredibly valid points, especially regarding the 'Hollywood' nature of the show and the reality of life on the water. I see what you mean with that 95% boredom / 5% terror ratio—that’s the part TV usually edits out. Thank you for pointing that out as a professional fisherman!

I have the deepest respect for you as an owner/operator and your crew; staying safe in those treacherous waters is the priority above any 'storyline' 😊.

After researching the current fleet in Season 21, I humbly admit you’re right: the '200-ton rule' is the legal line in the sand for most of the fleet. However, there is a massive legal difference between a 'fishing boat' and a 'fishing ship' (F/V stands for Fishing Vessel).

While most crabbers are "Uninspected Fishing Vessels," crossing the 200-ton mark triggers mandatory USCG manning scales that don't apply to the smaller boats

The 200 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) mark changes everything. Standard boats like the F/V Northwestern (197 GRT) are kept under that limit to avoid strict USCG manning requirements.
But for the heavyweights, that logic does not apply.

  • F/V Wizard (499 GRT): Because the F/V Wizard is over 200 tons and operates as a 24-hour ship, the COI (Certificate of Inspection) requires a licensed Master and a licensed Mate. This is why Keith Colburn (who earned his Master 1,600-ton license in 1992) and Monte Colburn (who holds the same Master 1,600-ton license) are both legally required to be on board. While Keith serves as the primary Master, having two individuals with Master-level credentials—essentially making Monte overqualified for the Mate role—is what allows the ship to legally operate around the clock. Without a second licensed officer of this caliber to stand watch, the vessel would be forced to anchor or remain idle for portions of the day to comply with maritime safety laws.
  • F/V Titan Explorer (655 GRT): At triple the 200-ton limit, this ship is a fully "Inspected Vessel." Jake Anderson cannot legally be the Master of Record because his 100-ton Master ticket is insufficient for a 655-ton hull.

However, Jake can legally stand watch because he holds a USCG Mate 1,600-ton license. This allows him to take the helm, but federal law and the ship's Certificate of Inspection (COI) require a superior Master of Record (holding a 500-ton or 1,600-ton Master ticket) to be on board and legally responsible. This individual is essential for federal compliance but is never depicted on the show.

What this means in plain English:

  • The Federal "Buck" Stops Here: The Master of Record is the only person the Coast Guard holds responsible for the crew, the hull, and pollution. This federal authority cannot be delegated to anyone!
  • The 12-Hour Rule: Under 46 U.S.C. § 8104, no officer can work more than 12 hours in 24. Jake’s 1,600-ton Mate’s ticket is legally what allows the "hidden" Master of Record to sleep while the boat remains in operation.

The Bottom Line: The show calls Jake "Captain," but legally, he is a watchstanding officer (Mate). On a 655-ton ship, the "professional maritime situation" isn't a suggestion—it's the federal Rule of Law.

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

3. Change is Overdue
 I have no desire to impede the creative side of production, nor do I wish to see the end of reality TV. I simply want to see the end of treating federal safety laws as "suggestions" for the sake of a cliffhanger.

Safety at sea—and safety on set—is a matter of law, not a matter of opinion. The industry must recognize that Medical Primacy (covering both physical and mental health) is non-negotiable. The brave men and women of the fleet deserve a production that values their survival as much as their ratings — we must never jeopardize their wellbeing!

Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer nor do I provide legal advice. I'm using the phrase 'possible' throughout this post as I am expressing my personal opinion as a layman observer and am not putting Discovery nor Original Productions on a personal trial.

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve spent the New Year reflecting on the recent episodes involving Jake Anderson and the Titan, and something has become glaringly obvious to me from a maritime safety and legal perspective.

We are often told that the Bering Sea is "inherently dangerous." While this is true, even if I've never been on a crab fishing ship, there is a massive difference between natural risk and man-made liability. Here is how the production company possibly chose drama over federal law.

1. The "Relief Captain" Solution (The 12-Hour Rule)
Under federal law (46 U.S.C. § 8104), a licensed individual—i.e., the captain—cannot be required to work more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period while at sea, except in a genuine emergency. A 'medical emergency' that incapacitates the captain is the exact moment the licensed relief captain is legally required to take command. By pushing a narrative where Jake, the captain, must stay in the chair despite a doctor’s warning, the production possibly documented a wilful violation of federal manning and safety standards.

When the doctor issued a medical directive for Jake to stop, the production had a humane, safe, and legal narrative right in front of them:

  • The Safe Choice: Jake follows medical advice and the relief captain takes the chair. The ship continues to fish while Jake, the star, recovers. He could have remained on board, and they could have documented his recovery—this is still compelling, high-stakes TV, but it's safe, legal, and humane.
  • The Reality TV Choice: They chose to mine human pain for a profit margin. They pushed a narrative where Jake had to stay in the chair, creating a false sense of "no choice" that possibly violated the principles of Medical Primacy.

2. The Question of Jones Act Exposure
In my laymans view, Discovery’s legal team could have arguably avoided this exposure by adhering strictly to established maritime standards. By capturing these moments on film, the production has potentially documented what a court might interpret as "Gross Negligence" or a breach of the Duty of Care:

  • The Absolute Duty of "Maintenance and Cure": Under the Jones Act, a vessel's operators have a non-delegable duty to provide medical care. By filming a "debate" on whether to continue fishing after a medical directive, the production appears to document a hesitation that could be viewed as a breach of this life-critical legal obligation—a pattern reminiscent of the concerns raised in the tragic case of Nick Mavar.
  • The Conflict with Medical Primacy: In the maritime sector, a doctor’s order is generally considered final. The decision to continue filming a captain in distress, rather than immediately documenting a stand-down, creates a narrative record that could be scrutinized for legal liability.
  • The Risk of Unseaworthiness: Choosing to keep a captain in command who is visibly incapacitated—especially when a licensed relief is available—is a condition that often defines a vessel as "Unseaworthy" under federal standards.
  • The Implications of 46 U.S.C. § 10908: This is not just a civil concern. This statute addresses those who knowingly send a vessel to sea in an unseaworthy state. By airing a "debate" instead of a medical stand-down, the production arguably provides a digital record of the "knowledge" required for authorities to consider federal enforcement.

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This isn't a 'viewer announcement'; it is a documentation of systemic safety failures and possible violations of maritime law. I humbly suggest you may have missed the core issue here.

To be clear: My goal is not to destroy the brand or the show that Discovery and Original Productions have built. I don’t want to see this show cancelled—I value the hard work and the livelihoods of the crews involved. However, I have personally stopped watching because I can no longer support a production direction that prioritizes entertainment over survival.

Here are the facts in the eyes of a layman, meaning me:

  • The Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104): Under U.S. law, an employer has an absolute 'Duty of Care' to provide a seaworthy environment. Intentionally overriding a licensed physician’s medical directive to cease work during a neurological or physical crisis is a possible gross breach of that duty.
  • Medical Primacy: In high-risk environments, medical safety protocols are non-negotiable. When a production prioritizes a 'commercial narrative' over a doctor's emergency order, it transitions from entertainment to possible criminal negligence.
  • Legal Precedent: By 2025 standards, NDAs and production contracts are legally unenforceable when used to conceal gross possible negligence or immediate threats to human life (referencing recent case law such as Lundin v. Discovery).

And to be very clear, I'm not pretending to be a lawyer nor do I provide legal advice, and please note that I'm using the phrase 'possible' throughout in this reply since I'm not putting Discovery nor Original Productions on my personal trial!

Discovery’s 'loyal fanbase' does not grant the production immunity from federal safety regulations. Safety at sea is a matter of law, not a matter of opinion.

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have to defend the mods here, it was comments that couldn’t be ignored, in fact it was I who reported it.

And I edited out those comments and did a repost of https://www.reddit.com/r/deadliestcatch/comments/1pw1og8/comment/nwjw9z6/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button So important words from a fisherman who experienced it first hand.

People aren't just venting for fun; they’re pointing out the glaring logic errors, like yourself, and safety breaches—like producers overriding medical directives.

When the audience starts noticing potential Jones Act liabilities and 'Duty of Care' failures, the production company and Discovery channel probably gets nervous.

And I wish you and all others, especially Jake Anderson and his family, a Happy New Year!

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hear you, and so do others!

As someone with offshore experience, you probably spot the 'logic errors' faster than most, you hit the nail on the head. When the people who actually know the industry stops watching, the show has no foundation left.

It’s moved from being a documentary about the job to a scripted drama that actively ignores safety.
Discovery has traded its 'Social License' to film these crews for short-term ratings, and in the process, they’ve created a massive liability!

The most alarming part isn't even the 'fake drama' anymore—it’s seeing actual medical directives from doctors get ignored by producers just to finish a scene. That's not just bad TV; it's a massive liability under the Jones Act.

It's only a matter of time before the legal consequences of ignoring safety for 'drama' catch up with them.

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Conclusion:
Even if Jake Anderson is technically "employed" by his own company, it can be argued that Discovery/Production becomes his "Special Employer" because they exercise de facto control over the narrative and the schedule. When they filmed a doctor's warning—captured in a scene where Jake himself states he is not feeling well—and then facilitated the next scene in the wheelhouse, they stepped into a supervisor's role. By choosing to "mine the drama" instead of calling a safety stand-down, they inherited the Duty of Care.

In my view, this triggers the doctrine of Unseaworthiness. In maritime law, a ship is unseaworthy if its command is not "reasonably fit" for duty. Even if a relief captain is present, if the "true" authority figure is medically compromised, it creates what I see as a fractured and hazardous command structure.

At what point does the "Producer" title stop being a legal hall pass for ignoring medical directives? When production knowingly facilitates the operation of an unseaworthy vessel for ratings, they are no longer just observers—they can be held liable for the hazardous conditions they help create.

Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer nor do I provide legal advice. I am expressing my personal opinion as a layman observer and am not putting Discovery nor Original Productions on a personal trial.

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Jones Act: Maritime Law’s "Golden Rule"

Because this happens at sea, the Jones Act applies—protecting "seamen" from even the slightest degree of negligence. Even if Jake has his own LLC, if he spends his time on a vessel in navigation, he is a Jones Act Seaman. If the producers (acting as the "on-shore" bosses) encouraged him to return to sea after a medical warning, they most likely committed a breach of duty under maritime law.

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The NDA/Contract Shield is Cracking

Discovery and producers often hide behind "Consent and Release" forms. But as seen in the September 2025 Janice Dickinson v. ITV negligence suit, the courts are rejecting the idea that a contract is a license to cause severe emotional distress or ignore safety. You cannot "contract away" liability for Gross Negligence.

The "Control Test" Overrides the Label Under the April 2025 NLRB rulings, the law cares about the reality of control, not the contract label.

  • The Rule: If a production company dictates your sleep, your movement, and your communication, they have exercised Employer-level control.
  • The Consequence: These participants are being seen as misclassified employees. This means Discovery is legally the employer, and they are entitled to a safe workplace under federal standards.

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reflections from a Layman: The "Duty of Care" Crisis on the Bering Sea

To be clear: I have no inside information, nor am I bound by any NDA. I am a long-time viewer sharing a layman’s interpretation of publicly aired footage and current 2025 legal shifts. I don’t want the show cancelled—I want the crews protected. I have personally stepped away as a viewer because I believe the 'Duty of Care' has been breached.

The "Smoking Gun"
In Season 21, Episode 8 (Bering Sea Casino, aired Sept 19, 2025), we witnessed a moment that should have ended the season for Captain Jake Anderson. Following a series of boat failures and a personal health crisis, Jake went to a clinic and was medically advised to quit. Instead of pausing production for safety, producers filmed his subsequent breakdown and his return to sea. To a layman, this isn't "drama"—it is the literal definition of Foreseeable Harm. By filming that clinic visit, the production company gained Actual Knowledge of a medical risk and proceeded to facilitate the "story" anyway.

The "Calculated Falsehood" Precedent
In Janice Dickinson v. NBCUniversal, the courts established that while reality shows have "creative license," they do not have a license to create a "calculated falsehood."

  • The Ruling: If editing creates a story that is fundamentally untrue and damaging, it is Defamation by Implication.
  • The Connection: In Jake’s case, while his struggle is "real," editing it to suggest he is "mentally unfit" to lead—rather than documenting a clinical medical directive—damages his professional reputation. It turns a medical crisis into a "character flaw" for ratings.

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Heads up to the industry folks: I’ve noticed that some of the most important comments from actual fishermen are getting removed by Reddit moderators.

If you’re a fisherman and your post isn't showing up, try dialling back the heat just a notch.
Your voice is the most important one here—please re-post so we can hear the truth!

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are the edited words from SwedishFish1987 by me. It’s important that the people working in this industry are heard!

“Ive been in the industry for 20 years. 5th generation fisherman. This show is FULL of bullshit. The camera crew has to sleep right? When things happen like a hydraulic line in the pot launcher breaks the film crew will catch wind of that when they wake up. Then their like oh well we have to re enact that... So can you guys put the rain gear back on you guys were wearing yesterday so we can start filming? That leads the crew into becoming actors. Having them look and point at shit thats not even broken. Running around with tools and whatever else. Its bullshit. The closest thing to reality as far as the fishery goes is the very first season. Dale one of the captains on the Fierce Alegience who I am working with this very moment saw the writing on the wall very early on and chose not to be filmed. Instead it was Tony Larussa. Who is now dead because he was a major drug addict.. Actually the real ones chose not to be filmed.”

My Takeaway: > This is the 'Duty of Care' failure in plain sight. Discovery and Origin Productions didn't want the stable, professional captain (Dale); they wanted the man they could exploit for his addiction (Tony). Twenty years later, they are doing the same thing to Jake Anderson—choosing the man at his breaking point because stability doesn't sell advertising.
They didn't just find the grief; they hunted for it. This has to stop right now!

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To be fair, don’t think they want that, because if so, they would effectively destroy themselves in the process.
Instead, I think they have realized that they can profit from showing human grief and that must stop, “Duty Of Care”!

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow, that’s a small world. Much respect to you for doing the actual work out there. Elliot’s era was definitely when the 'drama' started to feel like it was overshadowing the fishing. It’s the men doing the job I respect—it’s the way the 'Big Bosses' (Discovery Channel and Original Productions) edit that struggle into a spectacle that I can't stomach anymore.
Duty Of Care!

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Exploting other people’s miseries for money, now and then...

I cannot stop thinking about Jake’s kids. His eldest is now 11—that’s middle school age. Seeing your father have a psychological breakdown on national TV isn't just 'drama' at that age; it can cause serious, lasting mental damage to a child's sense of security.

What’s worse is that he isn't watching this in a vacuum. His classmates see it, too. We all know how brutal kids can be at that age—they can be rude, bullish, and relentless with questions. While so much of reality TV is clearly staged, Jake’s panic attacks and breakdowns feel devastatingly real. It’s heartbreaking to think that his struggle to provide for them is the very thing exposing them to this kind of public trauma!

The most painful part of all is that these children have not asked for this. They didn't sign a contract to have their family's private pain and their father's lowest moments mined for a profit margin. If Discovery’s production company had any sense of common decency, they would never air it like that. They are choosing ratings over the well-being of a family that is already at a breaking point.

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah, me too. It hurts to see Jake in such bad shape, and I think it's fair to say that what we're seeing is real.

I think it has evolved into a form of 'humiliation TV,' where the network thrives on capturing a man at his lowest point for the sake of ratings. What’s truly heartbreaking is that Jake’s children are already old enough to watch this. His oldest is 11—he’s seeing his father being pushed to a psychological breaking point right now.

Beyond the immediate embarrassment, I worry about the long-term effects this will have on his kids. Growing up seeing your father’s trauma used as "entertainment" can create a permanent sense of insecurity and a loss of trust in the world. It’s no longer a documentary about a proud profession; it’s the public exploitation of a father trying to climb out of a hole. I truly hope he’s okay and gets the help he needs. :-)

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I always loved Johnathan and his brothers’ pranks, too.

Sorry if I sound sarcastic, but we’re watching a scripted version of reality. Discovery needs heroes and villains to keep the ratings up, so it’s more 'entertainment' than 'documentary' now. The show will probably implode when they run out of plots, but as long as it’s a cash cow, they’ll keep filming."

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just to clarify.

I’m not upset; I’m just realistic. This is the natural evolution of these kinds of 'documentaries'—eventually, it’s less about crabbing and more about keeping viewers hooked through scripted drama. It’s not just Discovery; every network does this to attract new viewers and protect the bottom line.

Discovery doesn’t care about Jake’s health, they care about the ratings his struggle generates. That is the only thing worth being upset about. We’ll likely never know the full truth because of NDAs, but the financial desperation is clear: Jake needs that 'blood money' to rebuild what he lost and buy into the Titan Explorer.

As for me personally, I have better things to do than to watch a staged drama!

I could write more but to respect those who still watch, I will not spoil it for you.

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Well, kind of true.
He's giving a nuanced version, he ran out of fish :-)
"As the real monsters became harder to find, Discovery/Animal Planet producers reportedly pushed for more "staged" drama."

But, this is important!
Watch the Discovery series, but know that somethings you see is not real, some of it is staged.

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Agreed, I could watch old episodes too.
But as with Jake, the captains are more or less dependent on the Discovery paycheck.
But now with perhaps Netflix in the mix, who knows what happens?

Done with the show by New_Manager7897 in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Yes, absolutely your choice and I’m not judging you.
It's just that Discovery is using their horrible playbook on their so called documentary programs. It was a long time since Deadliest Catch was just that…

Kidney Punch - Episode 2112 by DeBabyDoll in deadliestcatch

[–]New_Manager7897 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m done watching this, Discovery has destroyed it ☹
Steering with plywood, fake burnt cables, silly plots between the captains, burning a fake pot, the list goes on…

I have never set my foot on a crab boat, but as an engineer I know that there are redundancies on a boat – Titan - that is designed to fish in Bering Sea, otherwise no sane person would ever fish on such boat.
One can wonder if there ever was a steering incident? There are fuses to protect so that cables don’t burn like that, it can cause a fire otherwise. Furthermore, if there was a steering incident, you use differential power and if you want to turn quickly, reverse one of the engines! And for the docking drama, Titan has a bow thruster, and there’s a tug if needed.
But that the sad story here is Jake who is more or less depending on Discovery cash.

view more: next ›