Great Wisdom From Freddie Maugatai

The Discovery Channel program Deadliest Catch has been outstanding this season. I've been a fan for several years, but this year has been remarkable; not least for the story line involving the death of Captain Phil Harris.

I noted Captain Harris' passing back in February. At the time, I wondered how the show would handle his death. In the event, it has been one of the main story arcs for the season and has produced one of the best, most touching scenes in the show.

Phil had just suffered a massive stroke and been rushed off to the hospital. One son went with him and the other, the eldest, Josh, stayed behind on the boat to take care of the family business.

The scene I wanted to highlight finds Josh sitting in the wheelhouse uncertain whether he should stay with the boat or go to be with his father. Freddie Maugatai, a Samoan and a long-time and model deckhand, speaking in broken English, encourages Josh to go to his father's side and leave the crab fishing behind for a bit.

Season every year... crab every year. Dad? No.

The crab is always catch... we make money every year. But we cannot catch a dad every year.

I strongly recommend you watch the video. I've just quoted the small bit the touched me most deeply.

RIP Phil Harris

I was saddened to read this morning that Captain Phil Harris has passed away. He was 53 years old.

He was the captain of the fishing vessel Cornelia Marie which was featured on the discovery Channel program Deadliest Catch. He suffered a massive stroke at the end of January and died yesterday, February 9.

I did not know Phil Harris personally. He was just a person whose job was featured on a very well-filmed, well-run documentary program. But I am a great fan of that show and Phil Harris was a fascinating part of the story.

I found some personal resonance in his suffering of a blood clot and pulmonary embolism on the show recently. I had a similar event in 2005, though mine was not nearly as serious or scary as his. His lifestyle was much more unhealthy; he smoked, ate poorly, went long periods on little sleep, and had a ridiculously high stress level.

He was a character and fascinating to listen to as he tried to run a risky fishing business and teach that business to his sons. I can't say that I was surprised to read of his death, but I will miss watching him.

I am thinking this morning of his sons, the rest of his family, and his friends and crew.