Archive for the ‘Capt. Phil’ Category

Posted on February 9, 2011 - by Morgan Howard

Remembering Capt. Phil one year later

It was one year ago today that we lost the skipper of the FV Cornelia Marie.  Capt. Phil harris passed away on February 9th, 2010.  I think it is appropriate to mark this date on this website today and every year this site exists.  Capt. Phil was a big reason why “Deadliest Catch” grew in popularity.  Folks tuned in every week to experience crab fishing in the Bering Sea through Phil’s eyes… and to witness his parenting style with his two sons, Jake and Josh.  I am still receiving emails from around the world as viewers of the show are just now finding out about the loss of Capt. Phil.

At the beginning of the King Crab Season, the Cornelia Marie crew spread his ashes out on the Bering Sea, surrounded by all his friends.  I am told that this all came together in a such a way that nobody could have predicted – It turned out very well.  I am sure this will be featured on one of the early episodes this year.

If you want to participate in remembering Capt. Phil, you can go to the Discovery Channel website where you can download a profile pic to place on your facebook profile for today.  Also, many fans gather at DeadliestCatchFan.com where you can find specific groups focusing on remembering Capt. Phil.

Posted on February 19, 2010 - by Morgan Howard

The Brave Last Days of Capt. Phil

This article comes from People magazine
Before his death on Feb. 9 at 53, Phil Harris, the tough and colorful captain of the Cornelia Marie on Discovery’s Deadliest Catch, fought against all odds, came out of a medically-induced coma following lengthy surgery, spent a few more days with friends and family – and set his two sons on a course for a strong future.

“I think that miraculous recovery that happened so rapidly and blew the doctors’ minds away was so that he could say the things that he had to say to the people he had to say them to,” says Dan Mittman, Harris’s best friend for 36 years.

As Harris recovered from his recent stroke at an Anchorage hospital, “I got five days to actually talk with him,” says son Josh, 26. “We had nine days total that we were there to enjoy a few moments with him. We had our closest people there and it was awesome. ”

Coping with Pain

Phil Harris began this January’s opilio crab-fishing season dealing with injury and concerns about his health on the high seas, according to friends and family. “You talk about pain,” says Josh, “but my dad had four crushed disks in his back, so he had been in pain the whole trip and that affected his fishing, too.”

According to Todd Stanley, the Catch producer and cameraman who’d spent years with Harris, “he seemed like he’d just gotten tireder and tireder. I mean, his pulmonary embolism [in 2008] really did it in for him.”

After hurricane-force winds knocked Harris from his bunk to a desk two years ago, and Stanley and the men on the boat forced Harris back to port to address his blood clot and bad health, the man who had an on-the-job habit of smoking cigarettes, eating high-calorie diets with his crew, drinking cases of Red Bull and downing pots of coffee knew he had to alter his lifestyle.

“He did cut back on energy drinks, quite a bit from what he’d usually do,” says Josh, “but [doctors] have determined that smoking was the cause of this, and that was always his biggest habit. He had changed a lot of his habits but just could never kick the smoking. He started working with that electronic cigarette but, not used to it, he didn’t know how to charge it. He just kept smoking.”

‘Just Paralyzed’
While off-loading crab in Alaska on Jan. 29, Cornelia Marie engineer Steve Ward found Phil Harris on the floor of his room, unable to move. Harris called for son Josh, who in turn, got Todd Stanley to stay with him while Josh called 911.

“The whole left side of his face was in paralysis, and that was hard,” Josh says. “He couldn’t move his arms or anything, he was just paralyzed on the floor.”

After being treated “damn near two years to the day,” says Josh, at the same St. Paul Sound clinic that helped him with his blood clot, Phil was medivacked to a hospital in Anchorage and underwent a long operation.
Crucial Days in Anchorage
A few days after Jan. 31, Phil Harris came out of a medically induced coma and right away started asking for friends to spend time with him.

“Phil and I have sat up and had many arguments about what it is to produce a good story,” says cameraman Stanley. “When he called me into the room that day, after 20 minutes of trying to understand what he was saying, because he could barely talk, he scribbled on a piece of paper, ‘Got to get the ending, ending to the story.’ I said, ‘Do you want me filming?’ He just looked at me with those blue eyes, man, and he was shaking his head yes, and shaking his hand with excitement.”
‘So He Could Be at Peace’
In the four days prior to his death, “he was Phil,” says Mittman. “We sat up and talked until midnight, not constantly because of catnaps, but that was our quiet time away from the cameras. We talked in detail, and he had regrets, and he shared them with me and he probably shared them with his sons. He accomplished what he needed to get done so he could be at peace.”

Harris talked to younger son Jake, 24, whom he told PEOPLE in 2008 “has fishing in his blood,” about the business. “I’m going to be looking at that [captain's] chair in a different way,” Jake says. “We definitely talked about it, but I just didn’t expect this to happen so soon. That’s definitely something where I would take over and take the responsibility.”

As for his older son, “he told me to get out of fishing,” Josh says. “I do love fishing, don’t get me wrong, but it was one of those deals where he wanted to see me do something better. He gave me the encouragement. My life goal was to show him I could be a man, you know, and I could fish, and I did the best job that I could, and he recognized that as being a good job and gave me kudos.”

But on Feb. 9, after walking for a bit and working on physical therapy, Phil Harris sat down in his bed next to best friend Dan Mittman to take a break. “He said, ‘Danny, I don’t feel as good as I did yesterday,’ ” Mittman recalls. “They rolled about five doctors through there and they said, ‘You can stay here,’ but, I understood, though.”

Later that day, Phil died with his closest family and friends surrounding him.

Posted on February 17, 2010 - by Morgan Howard

Dutch Harbor Mourns Capt. Phil

The following article is by ROSE COX of The Dutch Harbor Fisherman ([email protected])

To fans of the “Deadliest Catch,” he was captain Phil Harris, the famous crab-killing rider of the wild Bering Sea.

But to those living at the tip of the Aleutian chain, he was just plain Phil, one of the most endearing, demanding – and sometimes downright irritating – men Dutch Harbor ever loved.

Harris, 53, suffered a stroke Jan. 29 while the fishing boat he captained, the Cornelia Marie, was in port at St. Paul Island near Dutch Harbor. He was medevacked to Anchorage and appeared to be on the mend Feb. 3, according to reports on the “Deadliest Catch” Web site.

He died Feb. 9, spurring thousands of online comments from fans of the Discovery Channel show that depicts the crab fishing industry in the dangerous waters off Alaska.

News spread quickly between fishermen, the docks, bars and businesses of Dutch Harbor and Unalaska.

“God bless him, he lived life to the extreme,” said Walt Dauderis.

He and Harris go way back. They worked together two decades ago on the Sea Ern, and before that in rubber boots and rain gear on the decks of the Alaska Monarch. More recently, Dauderis spent a few seasons as engineer and cook on the Cornelia Marie.

“People who tried to be like him, you’d watch them fail by his side. No one could keep up with him.”

Dauderis gave up crabbing for a job with the Alaska Marine Highway System, but he and Harris are practically neighbors in Lake Stevens, Wash., where they rode motorcycles together and yukked it up over fishing, Harleys and life in general.

Dauderis has lots of stories. But none of them are printable.

“I’m going to miss him. I just painted a motorcycle and was going to go by his house to show it to him and he was going to give me a bunch of s— because it wasn’t macho enough.”

Their pain is so new that people in Dutch Harbor talk about Harris in the present tense, like he’s about to walk through the door any minute amid a cloud of cigarette smoke and colorful language.

He was “friendly,” “honest,” “strong,” “hardworking” “caring.” He was the kind of guy who took “Deadliest Catch” T-shirts to sick children in the hospital.

“He was a one-of-a-kind person,” said Al Mendoza, fleet manager for Unisea, where the Cornelia Marie landed millions of pounds of crab over the years. “I don’t think he had an enemy over the years I knew him. Not one enemy, ever.”

All say he loved his sons, Josh and Jake Harris, more than life itself.

Then they tell how he used to joke about why lions eat their cubs. The words “brash,” “macho,” “loud” and “impatient” pop up. By all accounts, he could be a pain in the patoot, but that doesn’t mean they loved him less.

“We’re devastated,” said Veda Webb. And in the next breath, “I can’t count the times I told him to get out and never come back.”

When Webb started her business, Unalaska Advertiser, a few years back, Harris stopped in to welcome her, then made sure the other fishermen gave her their business.

The first week in February, she was working on getting Harris a mini computer for Internet and e-mail onboard the boat. She had a couple on order, but they got stalled in the mail.

“He’d hound me if he wanted something until he got it. He called me every night, ‘Are they here? Are they here?’ ”

His last call was the night before he left for St. Paul Island. The computers were in.

“He said, ‘Well, try to get me a Gateway with Windows 7, for when I get back.’ ”

Typical Harris behavior.

When he wanted something done, yesterday was too late, said Don Knoblauch, superintendent for Magone Marine Services, the shop that fixed the Cornelia Marie for the past eight years.

“Extremely pushy, boisterous expedience, that’s how he was,” Knoblauch said. “If he was off the boat and not pressured by the fishing, he was a pretty decent guy. I’d see him in the bar and he seemed like a relatively normal person.”

Crabbers tend to get into town, gear up, go fishing, unload and repeat until the season is over. But there’s always time to visit the bar, and Harris made all the stops over the years.

The first time bartender Danielle Williams met Harris, she served him his signature drink – a double duck fart.

“He and his two sons, one had just turned 21, and a crew member came in. His crew guy and he got into an argument, and his crew guy knocked him into the corner of the bar.”

She was about to boot them all out, but they started laughing.

“They got over it really fast. They ended up closing the bar.”

Lionel Silva, chief engineer on the pollock catcher Morning Star, said Harris’ death is a blow to the crabbing industry as well as a personal loss for him.

“He was a terrific captain, and one of the most outstanding people I know.”

There was far more to Harris than “Deadliest Catch” fame, Silva said.

“I understand he was on the show and stuff, but they’re all going to go away. When everybody forgets about ‘Deadliest Catch,’ we’re still going to be remembering Phil and everything about him.”

Rose Cox can be reached at [email protected], or by phone at (907) 348-2419

Posted on February 13, 2010 - by Morgan Howard

Cornelia Marie thanks you for your support

My mother Cornelia Marie and I wish to thank everyone for your support on behalf of Josh, Jake and the rest of the family.  During this most difficult time you have expressed your sadness and offered your prayers and good wishes.  Many of you have also shared your concern for Phil’s boys.  Many nice of words have been written in emails and comments – we appreciate them all.

Many of you have asked if the “family has a charity, group or cause they would like donations to be made in Capt. Phil’s memory”.  Capt. Phil supported certain causes and something will be setup shortly.  Once it is, we’ll post it here.

Anything sent to the address below, will be hand-delivered to Jake, Josh and Phil’s dad by a close family friend.

Captain Phil Harris

PO Box 32466

Amarillo, TX 79120-2466

Thank you so much for all the kind words.  We will post more later.

Posted on February 10, 2010 - by Morgan Howard

We mourn the loss of Capt. Phil Harris

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad – Captain Phil Harris. Dad has always been a fighter and continued to be until the end. For us and the crew, he was someone who never backed down. We will remember and celebrate that strength. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. – Jake and Josh Harris

It is with tremendous sadness that I say goodbye to Phil Harris. Phil and I have been business partners and friends for nearly 20 years.  We have been through a lot of ups and downs together with the F/V Cornelia Marie. As a skipper, he was a great fisherman. He loved his family and cared for his crew. We will all miss him. – Cornelia Marie Devlin

Statement from Discovery – Discovery mourns the loss of dear friend and colleague Captain Phil Harris. He was more than someone on our television screen. Phil was a devoted father and loyal friend to all who knew him. We will miss his straightforward honesty, wicked sense of humor and enormous heart. We share our tremendous sadness over this loss with the millions of viewers who followed Phil’s every move. We send our thoughts and prayers to Phil’s sons Josh and Jake and the Cornelia Marie crew.

Posted on February 6, 2010 - by Morgan Howard

Capt. Phil makes progress toward recovery

Capt. Phil was talking to friends and family today; showing his greatest progress since he suffered a massive stroke one week ago.  It’s been a long and difficult week for friends and family as Phil was medivaced from St. Paul Island and under went surgery.

Capt. Phil’s sons Josh and Jake have been at this hospital and continue to stay by their father’s side.  Some Bering Sea fishermen have also come by to pay Phil a visit.

Meanwhile, the F/V Cornelia Marie has been back fishing for Opilios.  The season has really just begun, so there’s much more fishing to do.

Great folks from around the world have sent their messages of encouragement and get-well soon greetings – for this, we will always be thankful.  Many cards have been sent and they will all get to Phil as he recovers.

Posted on February 3, 2010 - by Morgan Howard

THANK YOU FROM CORNELIAMARIE.COM

Thank you to everyone who has shared their concern for Capt. Phil, his family and crew.   We have received thousands of emails and comments from everywhere.   We know many of you have met Capt. Phil and his boys during one of their public appearances or have spent many hours with him through watching the  “Deadliest Catch”.  We appreciate all who have sent good thoughts and  prayers… It is a meaningful act and we really appreciate it during this  difficult time.

As we said in the last post, we will let you know when we have any substantial news about Capt. Phil. He continues to be supported by Jake and Josh and other family and friends.

We’ve heard many folks asking where they can send get well cards.  Please send correspondence to:

Captain Phil Harris
PO Box 32466
Amarillo, TX   79120-2466

From there, they will be handled by Phil’s good friend and then delivered to him later.

Once again, we thank you for your  support.

Posted on January 31, 2010 - by Morgan Howard

Capt. Phil recovering from surgery

Last night Capt. Phil underwent surgery.  Both of his sons, Josh and Jake were at his side.  Josh flew in from St. Paul to join his brother.  It may be some time before we know anything substantial about Phil’s condition.

Thank you to everyone who has sent good wishes and prayers for Phil, his family and the Cornelia Marie crew.

An old family friend of the F/V Cornelia Marie, Derrick Ray flew to St. Paul to take on the role of relief skipper for the rest of the Opilio season.

Posted on January 30, 2010 - by Morgan Howard

Capt. Phil is in the hospital, medivacked from St. Paul

Captain Phil Harris suffered a stroke yesterday at St. Paul Island in Alaska. He was medivacked to Anchorage and is currently at a hospital receiving treatment.

I didn’t say anything earlier, so family can learn from us instead of through the internet. I know anybody who is reading this also cares about Phil, so we thought you should know as well.

Phil is at a good hospital and receiving the best care possible. My mother, Cornelia Marie Devlin and Jake Harris are with him at the hospital.  The boat is in the harbor now, but needs to be able to leave in case the ice shifts and moves in.

He was immediately taken to the clinic in St. Paul – the same place he was treated when he had a blood clot two years ago.

As soon as we receive more information about Phil, we will pass it on to you.

Posted on August 27, 2009 - by Helen Ruckman

Deadliest Catch Captain fishing for a crew

King Crab Season is almost upon us.  Beginning mid September and on into October each year,  Captains and crew from the fishing fleet begin the exodus north to Alaska in the quest for gold.  Crabs to be precise, and they can be just as plentiful or elusive as the shiny nuggets coveted by early settlers during the gold rush in the Wild West.  A huge pay check is not guaranteed.

This year the Captain and Crew of the F/V Cornelia Marie are searching for a new greenhorn.  Among the qualities needed will undoubtedly be a yearning for adventure, a good sense of humor, and the ability to think fast, work hard, and just refuse to admit defeat.

It’s possible a lucky person may get the coveted brass ring and a chance to prove themselves.  Along with the chance comes a promise to be worked beyond normal endurance levels in freezing weather.  Included, too, is the possibility of vomiting unmercifully as you enjoy the most amazing sunrise one has ever seen.

Who will be the winner of the opportunity of a lifetime?  Applications are being taken ”Cornelia Marie Style”  by Captain Phil Harris along with his sons Jake and Josh.  Only those with tenacity, a strong sense of adventure, and a strong body that will keep going past the point when the mind has already thrown in the towel need apply.

Saturday August 29, Captain Phil Harris, Jake, and Josh are conducting interviews at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.