Deadliest Catch S21 Ammonia Leak: A mockery of USCG regulations and 1600-ton Masters?

Professional Mariner Forum
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I’m a layman in the maritime world, but I would really like to hear from credentialed professionals about this. The episodes in question are S21 E1-2 of Deadliest Catch (spoiler alert).

I think many of you have seen the episode where Jake Anderson, supposedly commanding the F/V Titan Explorer, sprints into a room allegedly filled with anhydrous ammonia gas without an SCBA mask. As you professionals know, doing this in a real IDLH ammonia leak is deadly and would instantly burn up his lungs.

Jake also supposedly broadcasts a PAN-PAN distress call that other captains hear, though I suspect this could be a fake radio call or edited in post-production. After Jake and his crew abandon ship, they are rescued by the F/V Wizard.

If this was a real event, wouldn’t this constitute a reportable Marine Casualty (Hazardous Condition & Abandonment)? And since Jake returned to command almost immediately based on the footage, wouldn’t that trigger severe USCG protocols for Master Impairment and mandatory drug/alcohol testing?

Furthermore, public records show the F/V Titan Explorer is 655 GRT and the F/V Wizard is 499 GRT. Since these vessels are well above the 200 GRT threshold, they are subject to strict USCG manning and inspection supervision. Jake Anderson holds a Mate 1600-ton license, so he can’t legally be the Master.

I wonder why the actual Master of Record (the “paper captain”) on these boats lets a TV production company make a total mockery of all the 1600-ton Master ticket holders who actually know the importance of adhering to CFRs and safety regulations.

I’m just a layman, but I would love to hear your professional fact-check and thoughts on how they get away with this legally.

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You just NOW noticed that:
This is a TV show and may be creatively edited.

This is Alaska where rules are more like suggestions.

The crabbers do dumb shit.

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They call it “Reality TV,” but it’s a dramatized production inspired by reality, not reality itself.

There was probably never any ammonia leak.

Fishing in the Bering Sea in the winter is heavily regulated by NMFS, and with regard to crab by the State, but very lightly regulated by the USCG. Enforcement activity at sea is usually impossible, but there is a little at the dock.

Uninspected Fishing Vessels are in a class by themselves with few regulations. They are uninspected.

Is an UIFV required to report an ammonia leak that doesn’t injure anyone? I don’t believe so, and I wouldn’t report it. Furthermore, small ammonia leaks are not uncommon.

UIFVs over 200 GRT (US regulatory tonnage) require a licensed Master. However, there are other types of tonnage, and it’s a special trade restricted license for fishermen.

My guess is that the vessel is probably under 200 GRT, even though it maybe 685 GT, and that the Master has a sufficient UIFV license, if a license is even required.

Have you ever noticed that any TV show or movie involving something that you actually know something about gets a lot of stuff wrong?

Have you ever noticed that news coverage of events that you happen to know about are only about 50% accurate?

Since you are admittedly a “layman,” not a seaman, why are you sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong, and getting yourself all worked up about, of all things, a psuedo-“reality TV show.

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Bingo! Titan Explorer is 191 GRT.

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You are a layman as you say, dipping your oar into very complex waters. The issue of CFR regulations, and the real world practice of dealing with ammonia gas leaks is very complex.

To begin with one of many issues: ammonia leaks are commonplace with ammonia refrigeration systems. Seldom do they reach the level of being IDLH, which is a specific PPM concentration of the molecule in air. Ammonia systems routinely off-gas at perfectly safe levels of release, and occasionally release at higher levels that are eye-watering for laymen but are still far below the IDLH level.

You jumped to an assumption that it was IDLH. If the level of ammonia was at IDLH I can tell you with perfect confidence that no person could rush into the ‘hot zone’ without PPG on. It would not happen.Human physiology would not allow it. Ammonia is a safer gas than say Freon because it has its own built in alarm system (your nose and eyes) the immediate burning of which will drive you away from the hot zone before it gets anywhere near the IDLH.

You mention SCBAs as if their use here is absolutely required for ammonia leaks.It is not. While SCBAs are useful for ammonia leaks, full face filter respirators are generally more useful for a variety of reasons. They both have roles, which takes training to understand.

UIFV are not required to report ammonia releases of less than 100 pounds, and even then not as a ‘marine casualty ‘ a very technical term.

Others have mentioned the license/ tonnage/inspection issue. That subject is so complex you can’t sort it out without the CoD and licenses in hand, and years of experience at sussing them out.

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Sounds to me someone has a personal grudge against Anderson and the show

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Just like “The Apprentice” but some people mistake these fake reality shows for actual reality. They are scripted but fool a lot of people which is what makes them so popular.

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I had a friend who had claimed that he saw these yahoos in a bar in Dutch Harbor plotting their scripts.

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“Below Deck” with a dose of crabs!

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Are they still making new episodes of “Deadly Catch”, or did that end when snow crab fishing in the Bearing Sea was banned (2022-23)?

I read somewhere that they made an episode(s) in the Barents Sea, but can’t remember when and where I read it.
PS: I think it was made onboard a Norwegian snow crab catcher, with one/some of the original cast.

Update. Found it:

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It was a few years ago. Sig from the Northwestern and Wild Bill (forget what boat he was attached to at the time) were in Norway.

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My favorite at sea “Reality TV” act is still that Whale Wars episode where the gyro goes out & everyone on the ship starts getting tossed around as if they’re in the middle of a typhoon. They’re all in their racks hugging their mattresses praying for dear life. Like the gyro controls sea condition & the mates can’t look out the window or at a compass to change course? People are dumb.

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amonia leak is common, (you know it still works)! and it keeps your nasal passages clear!, and who is going to call the uscg for anything other than a life raft? re: script writers, … must of been carls? (the place with the semi pet eagle) since the elbow room closed. I saw the sign for sale on ebay or some place.

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THAT would not be anything new…! :skull_and_crossbones:

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Yes! And then they fix the wiring and the sea is calm again.

I actually miss that show lol.

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It was a guilty pleasure for me too. Akin to watching WWE wrestling or monster car racing.

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Wait! Monster car racing is still real right???

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That girl wasn’t good enough for you anyways bro.

She should appreciate the attention to regulations a REAL 1600 Master would show.

You’re better off homie