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Stumble‘Deadliest Catch’ captain fishing for a crew
Discovery Channel TV series captain to seek applicants Saturday in Las Vegas
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009 | 10:21 a.m.
Courtesy photo
Phil Harris, captain of the Cornelia Marie, will seek applicants Saturday at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for a crew to go out on his next Alaskan king crab fishing excursion in the Bering Sear. Harris and his sons have been featured in the Discovery Channel’s TV series, “The Deadliest Catch.”
Call it the deadliest job fair.
If you’ve ever watched king crab fishing documentary TV series “The Deadliest Catch” and thought that you could handle the frigid temperatures, round-the-clock work and salty co-workers of life on the Bering Sea, now is your chance to apply.
Each season, the Discovery Channel follows Alaskan king crab fishing boats as they depart from Dutch Harbor in search of lucrative and often elusive quarry. As we munch away on our couches, the teams aboard the ships fight to stay safe and sane and above all to find their meal ticket: the crab. It all makes for very entertaining television. But a career path? Maybe.
The Cornelia Marie’s captain, 32-year fishing vet Phil Harris, knows a lot about finding the spiders of the sea and plenty about finding the right crew to catch them, too. Harris and his fisherman sons need a full crew to drop pots, count crab and make it back to harbor in one piece, and right now they’re down one grunt. That’s where you come in. Harris and his boys are heading to Las Vegas this weekend to meet fans, promote their new coffee line and interview “greenhorn” or rookie applicants willing to take the abuse of a few months at sea for the chance at a sometimes staggering payout.
Don’t have much heavy pot hauling experience on the resume? Not a problem.
“This is not a situation where expertise is key,” assures the Harris’ manager, Russ Herriott. But, he adds, “you gotta have heart.”
And an iron stomach. Ask yourself this question, Herriott suggests: “Can you take a 20-pound block of frozen fish and put it in the grinder and not throw up?” If the answer’s no, it’s dry land for you.
Interested applicants can meet the captain and his sons on Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, where they’ll be signing autographs, holding question and answer sessions and accepting applications. If you’ve got what it takes, they just might send you a ticket to meet them in Dutch Harbor on Oct. 5.
There’s just one more job requirement for taking your maiden voyage.
“Skinny runts,” Herriott says, need not apply.
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I want my fish sticks. Thank you very much.
This is a guy who smokes like a trooper, and had big trouble with his son on board. Plus he turns into a whiny, nasty plick when they're not catching crabs big time. Avoid like the plague.
Spent a year on a Scalloper out of New Bedford, Massachusetts. The Captain is supposed to find the catch and the crew is supposed to harvest it. This guy blames everyone but himself for not having a good trip. Not a Captain; a cry baby!
This guy looks like a vagrant! I could never work for a guy like this, I bet he smells like his last catch. Sheeesh! take a shave.
Age 32? Must be a typo, looks 62.
I have watched this show since the beginning and he is the last Captain I would put out to sea with.
I would chose the "skipper" from Gilligan's Island first.
You guys are far too harsh. I watch the show faithfully and find Phil to be refreshing. He's like a giant Teddy Bear. Loads of respect, he handles all situations well. Vagrant? C'mon, he's a ruggedly handsome gent.
Even though I'm a female, I'd be honored to work with Captain Phil and all his crew.
There always has to be a sour bunch somewhere, sounds like you guys could benefit from being a "Greenhorn" you'd learn respect the hard way.
Cheers xx
Ah... Comments from people who obviously know NOTHING about which they write. Very apparent that they know they would never make it on a crab boat. Comparing a scalloper to a crab boat is comparing apples to oranges. Perhaps you should try fishing with real men this time. Also, didn't say he was 32 years old, he's been fishing for 32 years. As for the "up for 2 or 3 days leaning over a boat"... you obviously need to learn more about your subject before blindly posting nonsense. Read up on crab fishing. Before judging, know what you are talking about first. Now... enjoy blasting ME with your venom. At least you will be leaving the guys alone.
Having lived in alaska for several years I have a great respect for these guys. Remember, you only see the final cut. The responsibility of being the captain is enormous as well as gruelling. As for the crew, MAN'S GAME!
First of all just let me say, if your going to make comments about someone or something you should get the facts straight. Next your words show nothing but your lack of knowledge of the situation, and also your jealousy of the popularity of the guys, as for your knowledge of the situation , Captain Phil Harris must be doing something right otherwise the Cornelia Marie wouldn't have been able to sustain in the industry as long as she has,and Phil wouldn't have held his seat at the helm as long as he has. I have been watching the show from the begining and like all of the boats in different ways , and for different reasons, but Phil and the Cornelia Marie are my favorite and I feel sorry for those of you who have nothing better to do than tear down a great man and his crew.
Rednougat: I feel you're a bit judgmental... Captain Phil smokes. Although it would be wonderful if he didn't, smoking has nothing to do with his skill in running one of the safest and highest producing boats in the fleet. One thing Captain Phil does not do is whine. If he is not on the crab he figures out another strategy and goes with it, as do the other captains. Most parents have had problems with their sons or daughers. It is part of life. Most parents, however, don't have tv cameras following them when they deal with issues. Perhaps before posting you may want to consider the content of the post. You would be less likely to inspire people to write their reactions to your largely off target words.
Edandersonvt: Kudos to having spent one year as a scalloper. Your limited experience wouldn't really lend a wealth of information to draw on when you state Phil blames everyone but himself when not having a good trip.
Rooster: It would stand to reason that if the fish that is ground up for bait stink, and the crab that is being caught can stink, it is a pretty good bet the fishermen smell pretty bad right along with it. Interestingly enough, The Captain would smell about the best out of the whole bunch, since he is in the wheelhouse. Fishermen are known to be superstitious. Many of them won't shave and/or cut their hair until they return back to the dock because they don't want to change their luck. Anyway shave for what? Who is there to impress in the middle of the Bering Sea?
Highstreet: As realusername states, the article is saying Phil is a 32 year fishing vet, not that he is 32. He is actually 52. Anyone who watches the show knows he almost died last year. Phil worked Opies this past season and has done public appearances all summer. He looks good. We're very lucky to have him with us.
Getalife: Great name. It fits you well...
Dollarbillz: Tweakers? Other than lots of coffee and energy drinks, not sure where you're going with that one. They also don't hang over the sides of the boats unless wearing proper harnesses to keep them from falling overboard. At that, they are watched to make sure they are safe. In the Bering Sea, hanging overboard is not a thing people do if they can help it. There are lots of pictures online of Captain Phil. In many he is smiling. He has really nice teeth. They're his too, not false.
Jessie, Realusername, Spock, and Fluff8 make a lot of sense to me. They are speaking as people who are familiar with the topic and what the captains and crew endure to do this job. Their posts are largely non accusing or nasty. They're stating a point. Thanks guys!
Las Vegas Sun, thanks for this opportunity to respond. Here's hoping other responses will be informed and courteous.
Heleninseattle
Glad to see Phil's forum fans came by to defend him. It's a pity it was necessary.
Wow, let's see we have "Geta life; Rooster, et al -- I hope you found something more constructive to do today. How about searching a Town Hall meeting in regard to problems our country is facing, rather than try and demean a hard working man? I have met this guy several times and I consider him a friend.
My advice to those of you who have nothing better to do than talk trash? Try and find a friend........Phil has more than he'll ever need, thank you.
And thank you, Las Vegas Sun. Hope you attended the sessions and enjoyed them.
Elliana in Maryland
HAHAHA Fools..Dont ever mess with Captain Phils Harris Hotties!!!
I forgot, we can't express our OPINIONS anymore. While I am glad that the crab groupies came to Phils rescue, do they really think hammering peoples OPINIONS will help the show?
BTW, My favorite Captain is Sig. Sorry if I hurt the feelings of the Phil's fan club members.
Helen, glad you like my name, in Nevada it's called sarcasm in Seattle I am sure it is a statement of ones position in life. Get out in the sun, the rain makes you crabby. lol
The mind is willing, But the body knows better! The BERING STRAIT is a witch that wants anything and everything she can devour. I have nothing but complete respect for these brave individuals.One slip,Your a name on a plaque.
Yes the HH is for Harris Hotties and I have been a fan of Capt Phil and the Cornelia Marie from the very beginning. As many greenhorns have found out fishing on the bearing sea is hard, cold and sadly deadly. No I have never met Capt Phil but it is clear that he is a stand up guy and takes his boat, crew and responsibilites very seriously. He continues to be one of the top earners and is obviously doing something right. Any one that has fished the bearing sea for 32 years should be respected. Oh and ya gotta love those baby blues.
Getalife,
Hi! After clicking your name and reading your writing style in other posts, I now understand that you were being sarcastic; my bad... I stand corrected. As a casual reader, it came across differently. Please accept my apology.
BTW no feelings hurt about choosing Sig as your fave captain. Sig is a great guy, as are the crew of the Northwestern. Being here in Seattle, I have met a great deal of the crew and captains. They're just really nice people. I'm honored to have met them.
Just to clear the air, my response wasn't about choosing favorites, it was geared toward uninformed people who unjustly posted rude, negative or derrogatory information.
It's all good -- Take Care,
H.
Crab groupies! Do you need to see a doctor for that or is just an over the counter thing?
First of all, "getalife", an opinion would be that you wouldn't put out to sea with Phil. The SLAM was the Gilligan's Island remark. The other posts oozed of slams as well. For example "nasty, tweeker, whiny, vagrant, etc, etc, etc." Since when are personal attacks "Opinions"?
"Crab Groupies". Again, is this a personal opinion? It sure reeks of a slam. Apparently the only "opinions" allowed here are the negative ones against Phil. Interesting.
By the way, considering the HUGE turnout at the event, the negative "opinions" here are in a very small minority. Enjoy!