Deadliest Catch is one of the most beloved Discovery Channel properties thanks to its extreme conditions and high-stakes drama. Just out of its 20th season, one infamous fishing vessel has been missing from the show: the Cornelia Marie. As one of the most prominent crabbing ships on the series since its debut in 2005, the Cornelia Marie’s greatest tragedy occurred when Captain Phil Harris passed away due to a massive stroke. His sons, Jake Harris and Josh Harris took on the responsibilities of the vessel before Josh purchased the boat with the help of Captain Casey McManus. While it did disappear for some time during Season 13, it had since returned. That is, until a series of unfortunate events.
Following the dangerous and crucial world of Alaska king crab fishing, Deadliest Catch captures the lives of the individuals who put everything at risk for their lucrative careers. Through its rough waters and brutal competition, the series has amazed viewers for 20 seasons. With a cast of characters displaying their fervor and passion for the industry, there has been a dark cloud that has engulfed some off-camera drama that impacted the world on-camera. From shocking deaths to unfortunate legal woes, the individuals who led F/V Cornelia Marie have a storied past.
What Happened to F/V Cornelia Marie?
Over the course of the first decade of the show, the Cornelia Marie was one of the most beloved fishing vessels on Deadliest Catch. Helmed by Captain Phil Harris, the Cornelia Marie was a staple on the show as one of the four permanent fleets. Like all the other fishing boats on the program, the Cornelia Marie encountered its fair share of trials and tribulations, but nothing was as awful as an incident in 2010 where Captain Phil Harris suffered a stroke while offloading crabs in port. Despite his condition improving, he suffered an intracranial hemorrhage, causing him to pass away in the hospital at the age of 53. As such a fan-favorite on the show, his passing hit fans hard. His brave last days were chronicled in an exclusive that helped those who loved him to find peace. Unfortunately, it was rough water following his death.
Following his passing, his sons, who were known for their sibling rivalry, took over for their father. They tried to earn enough money to purchase the ship, but they were ultimately unsuccessful. Now, it appears Josh was able to purchase the boat with Captain Casey McManus. During the 13th season of the show, the Cornelia Marie was missing. It alarmed longtime fans of the show as they questioned why it was gone. But it did eventually return a season later. So why was it gone? Well, Josh Harris stated that it wasn’t a dispute about money. It was simply a decision made by the production team at Discovery. By Season 17 of Deadliest Catch, Captain Casey solely took charge of the Cornelia Marie. And for good reason.
The Cornelia Marie is currently gone due to its association with Josh Harris. Following his guilty plea for a 1998 sexual assault case involving a minor, Discovery Channel and Deadliest Catch have severed ties with Josh Harris on the flagship program and its spin-offs. The report detailed Josh’s controversial incident as representatives for the network stated, “We’ve been made aware of this. Josh will not appear in future episodes of this series.” And thus, the ship was gone. Josh Harris was part of the spin-off Deadliest Catch: Bloodlines in 2020, alongside Casey McManus and local fisherman Jeff Silva. Tragedy has continued to strike the Harris family. For Jake Harris, he had been previously jailed for a DUI and then was arrested again for a DUI following publicized substance abuse problems.
Could F/V Cornelia Marie Appear Again?
Due to the unfortunate events surrounding the Cornelia Marie, Captain Casey McManus found himself out of a job when Discovery Channel cut ties with the fishing vessel. Captain Casey was a staple on the program since the early days of the show, but this was a reality show capturing reality. There was no way to retain him and move him to another ship. This one was his. In a tweet following the situation, Captain Casey said it was a “bummer deal” that his contract wasn’t renewed. Whether it was out of frustration or disappointment, he also stated that there was no crab to catch, leading to him calling Deadliest Catch “smoke and mirrors.”
After the network ended the relationship with the boat, Casey McManus moved to a new job pulling tugboats off-screen. It’s been years since F/V Cornelia Marie has been seen on screen, but some fans think there might be a revival. Former cast member Taylor Jensen has taken to Instagram to share a photo of himself with the vessel, stating he was #Bristolbaybound and is now a partner. Taylor previously served as a deckhand, greenhorn, and engineer on the boat during his tenure on the program from 2018 to 2022. With new blood on board, perhaps a new era for F/V Cornelia Marie could hit the seas. If the ship’s social media is any indication, F/V Cornelia Marie is very much in action and ready to be filmed. With so much encouragement from fans of the ship and the show, perhaps a new tide can be turned.
Many fans remember Taylor Jensen and his three consecutive injuries on the show. First, he was hit with the wrath of the ocean. An 80-thousand-gallon wave knocked Taylor at full force, tossing him to the other side of the vessel. Then, during hurricane conditions, he was knocked in the head by a crab pot that got loose. And to wrap it all up, he was severely injured in a freak accident where his finger was torn open, causing him to cut the skin off. It’s safe to say that Deadliest Catch is not for the squeamish.
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The Fate of Fishing Vessels on Deadliest Catch
Like casting any project, casting is key. While Deadliest Catch is known for the individuals onboard, not every fishing vessel will survive season to season. As proven by F/V Cornelia Marie, the individuals who work on the ships may determine whether a boat will essentially be cast. If the crew is not what the production is looking for, they may have severed ties with both the ship and the cast of characters who work on it. If a ship is sold or changes hands, it may no longer be best for both parties to continue to feature it on the show.
Additionally, like an injury, if a boat is forced out of commission, it will affect filming as well. Sadly, if a ship is decommissioned, the fishing vessel cannot be featured. The show is about action, not watching a ship sitting idly on the dock. For those ships that are retired, many owners end up scrapping them for parts. It’s the cheapest, most efficient way that also happens to be environmentally friendly. The other option is to send them to a ship graveyard or intentionally sink them. Throughout Deadliest Catch‘s run, there have been a handful of decommissioned fishing vessels. In addition to Cornelia Marie, those sadly no longer featured on the show include F/V Destination, F/V Katmai, F/V North American, F/V Saga, F/V Scandies Rose, and F/V Victory.
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‘Deadliest Catch’ Has a History of Controversy
Deadliest Catch has been marred with controversy for years, both on and off camera. Between lawsuits against production and the manipulation of some of the action on the Bering Sea, Deadliest Catch has continued to defy the odds, with viewers refusing to turn away. In 2010, production manager Matthew Schneider was one of 18 individuals arrested in a drug bust. He also happened to use the drugs in front of a police officer. Former F/V Wizard deckhand Joshua Tel Warner was a bank robber prior to being cast on the show and was busted after being recognized for his appearance. Numerous cast members experienced substance abuse issues, with many passing away, including Nick McGlashan. Additionally, the production company for Deadliest Catch had been sued over the protocols following Nick Mavar‘s medical emergency. On top of the on and off-screen issues, the show has been accused of exaggerating the action, lowering quotas, and amplifying the drama on-screen.
Despite the drama off-camera, Deadliest Catch has yet to show any signs of slowing down. Fans continue to tune in for all the action they’ve come to know. Deadliest Catch recently completed its triumphant 20th season. For Deadliest Catch fans, they were given everything they could possibly want from a milestone season. Audiences were eager for action, and they surely got it! A derby kicked off the season, bringing the stakes to an all-time high. The season followed the likes of Captain Sig Hansen, Jake Anderson, and Wild Bill Wichrowski, among others, as major changes happened on and off-board the fishing vessels.
All episodes of Deadliest Catch are available to stream on Discovery+ in the U.S.
- Release Date
- March 15, 2005
- Cast
- Mike Rowe
- Main Genre
- Reality
- Seasons
- 19
- Creator(s)
- Thom Beers
