“Deadliest Catch” Captain Sig Hansen Suffers Medical Emergency at Sea — Crew Scrambles to Save Famed Fisherman Hours from Help

DUTCH HARBOR, ALASKA – Captain Sig Hansen, the seasoned and legendary figure of the hit reality TV series “Deadliest Catch,” has once again faced a life-threatening medical emergency while battling the treacherous waters of the Bering Sea. The dramatic ordeal was captured and aired during the two-hour Season 21 finale on October 31, 2025.

The episode documented a high-stakes situation where Hansen, having worked a grueling 36-plus hours straight and consuming a significant amount of caffeine, began to exhibit severe signs of distress, including chest tightness and extreme exhaustion.

Initially attempting to brush off the symptoms, Hansen handed the helm of his boat, the F/V Northwestern, to his son-in-law, Clark Pederson, and retreated to his cabin. A crew member later found the veteran captain collapsed on the cabin floor.

With no immediate medical facilities within hours of travel, the crew was thrown into a frantic scramble. Despite Hansen’s initial reluctance to call the U.S. Coast Guard for a medical evacuation, the urgency of his condition became clear.

Recognizing the severity of the situation and Hansen’s history of heart issues, Pederson quickly got a cardiologist on the phone via satellite link. The medical professional advised the crew on how to check Hansen’s vitals and stressed the critical need for immediate medical evaluation. The crew made a desperate turn towards the nearest port, racing against the clock.

“This is not good,” a concerned crew member was heard saying during the broadcast as they tended to their captain.

Fortunately, the Northwestern made it to port, and Hansen was transported to a clinic for assessment.

This is not the first time Hansen’s life has hung in the balance on the water:

Following these prior incidents, doctors strongly advised Hansen to quit smoking and cut back on caffeine. He has since adopted these healthier habits but continues to command his vessel, though he has increasingly mentioned that retirement might be on the horizon to spend more time with his family.

DUTCH HARBOR, ALASKA – Captain Sig Hansen, a staple of the Discovery Channel’s hit reality series “Deadliest Catch,” faced a terrifying medical emergency aboard his vessel, the F/V Northwestern, in a recent episode that aired on October 31, 2025. The incident, which saw the veteran skipper’s life hanging in the balance, highlighted the intense dangers of fishing in the Bering Sea that extend beyond the weather and the waves.

Under the immense pressure of meeting a Bairdi crab quota deadline, the 59-year-old Hansen had been working for over a day and a half and consuming excessive amounts of caffeine. He began experiencing exhaustion, tightness in his chest, and eventually, near-collapse.

Initially in denial about the seriousness of his condition, Hansen handed the wheel over to his son-in-law, Clark Pederson, and went below deck to rest. A crew member later found him on the floor of his cabin, with signs of distress evident, including nearby vomit.

With the vessel hours away from medical assistance, a frantic scene ensued. Hansen refused a Coast Guard call for evacuation, but the crew, knowing his medical history, took matters into their own hands.

Pederson contacted a cardiology specialist via phone for guidance. The doctor, upon hearing Hansen’s symptoms (including shoulder pain and chest tightness), urged the crew to get him to a medical clinic as quickly as possible. The Northwestern diverted its course and sped toward port.

Hansen has faced two previous heart-related scares: a “full-blown heart attack” in March 2016 while filming Season 12, and a “slight heart attack” in October 2018 triggered by an allergic reaction to antibiotics. The severity of these past events underscored the urgency of the latest situation.

Hansen was safely brought back to port and sought medical evaluation. Following the incident and previous health warnings, he has since quit smoking and reduced his caffeine intake significantly.

While the recent scare served as a stark reminder of his mortality, Hansen remains dedicated to his life at sea. Though he has contemplated retirement to spend more time with his family, he has stated, “I don’t see that happening. Quite, frankly, I don’t want to.”