Deadliest Catch Boats?

[CocoKai]

We just started watching the Deadliest Catch because of this forum and think those guys are CRAZY. Could they put higher sides on those boats so they don't get swept to sea? Anyway, are any of the boats docked in Juneau, Skagway or Ketchikan. My kids would get a kick out of seeing one. Thanks!

[CowPrincess]

The Aleutian Ballad (retired from crab fishing and retrofitted for tourism) docks in Ketchikan. I believe (though am not 100% positive) that most of the boats on this year's show have home ports somewhere in Washington state. So they return there after the crab season is done. The Aleutian Ballad does tours and the tour has been getting pretty good reviews.

 

If you go to the Discovery Channel website, there are links to Deadliest Catch where you can get additional info about the boats and crews.

[mtwingcpa]

Many of the boats participate in other fisheries beside crab - salmon packing, cod, etc. - so they may be busy year 'round. Most of the featured boats have websites. If you Google around a bit you can probably find them, and maybe they have fishing schedules posted. That said, if you are lucky enough to spot one of them, I'd guess it to be by sheer chance. :-)

 

You can probably see OTHER crab boats (not the famous ones) in most any Alaska commercial port.

[kellywhitehills]

If your cruise leaves out of Seattle you can tour the Seastar (season one and 2)..It was docked in Ketchikan last year..There is also the Aluetian Ballad that offers an excursion where they take you out and pull up some crab pots..

[winehappy]

We (group of 5 adults and 4 kids) just did the Aleutian Ballard, Deadliest Catch trip in Ketchikan. If you like the tv show, we'd all recommend it. They take you out in calm waters, pull up fishing lines to show the type of fish that they can catch, and also pull up pots with different kinds of crabs. The captain and crew are very good at making sure everyone gets to see/touch what they want, and tell lots of stories of their experiences, and patiently answer what must be pretty repetitive questions. At the end you get a small snack of crackers and crab dip - the ones they catch are released.

 

A couple of side hints - if the trip is booked, check that morning when you dock. The boat only sells out the covered seats on the first floor - if the weather is decent, there will be additional seats on the above deck. We did lots of moving around on the boat, and they carry the crabs and such up to the second floor for people to see, so the top seats are just as good.

 

Second hint - We saw more eagles on this trip than anywhere else! The boat takes you past some nesting birds and the crew throws some fish out and eagles and their young fly around like crazy. It was awesome. :D

[Coconet]

Hi There,

 

We also went on the Aleutian Ballad (Bering Sea Crab Tour through Star Princess)...great tour! They really know their stuff, tell some great stories and for anyone that likes the show this is a must! I also agree with the previous comments...this was the most incredible way to see Eagles. They pull right up next to an inlet and feed the eagles...we saw HUGE eagles nests and countless eagles...literally flying right over our heads...we were told to hang on to our hats they were that close! Took amazing pictures! Your will get to hold most anything they catch...enormous King Crab...:eek: ! For anyone that would like some pictures to get a better idea...post your email and I will send you a few so you get the idea:) !

 

They also give provide rain gear, hot chocolate and coffee along with the snack and bottled water.

 

Our tour started just a bit late as they waited for a ship that came in late to port. We had another tour immediately following this one. They called our next tour before we even left to inform them that we would definitely be back in time for the next excursion and the tour boat was waiting on the dock for us to escort us to the ship for our next tour. WOW!

 

Loved it!

Kathy

[JerseyJaguar]

Did the RT Seattle cruise and all my tablemates did this in Ketchikan and LOVED it. (I did the Misty Fjords Floatplane which I loved too).

 

It will take up all your time in Ketchikan, but they didn't mind.