Posted on July 13, 2010 - by Morgan Howard

Farewell to our Capt. Phil

Josh Harris and Johnathan Hillstrand (LA Times)

Tonight we say “farewell” to our skipper, Capt. Phil Harris of the F/V Cornelia Marie.  I expect Discovery will use great sensitivity in telling the story of Phil’s last hours.

I guess in one respect we’re all in the same boat together.  We all have similar feelings in regard to tonight episode of “Deadliest Catch”.  My Mom and even Josh don’t really know what to expect on the show.

However, Josh and Johnathan were on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” last night and provided an idea of what is to come.  During their segment of the interview, they did show a very emotional clip of the show.  I guess this gives us some idea of what to expect.  Also, before the Tonight Show, they spoke to a reporter from the LA Times:

Josh Harris, in Los Angeles this week for an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” hasn’t watched Tuesday’s episode yet but says he will because he wants to make sure he said a proper goodbye. He was in shock during those last few days, he said, and doesn’t remember details that he now considers vitally important.

“It was hard to live it, and it’ll be really hard to relive it,” he said, lighting a steady stream of cigarettes on the rooftop of a Hollywood hotel. (He’s promised to kick the habit soon, but he’s too shellshocked at the moment, both from the death and the media attention now swirling around him). “I want to see those final moments of my father.”

Johnathan Hillstrand, co-captain of the Time Bandit and a close family friend in town with Harris for “The Tonight Show,” was at Harris’ bedside up to the end and said he hasn’t decided if he’ll watch the episode.

Josh is flying back from L.A. today and will watch the show here in Seattle.  According to Johnathan’s twitter account he made a decision and will “be watching Deadliest Catch tonight”.  Johnathan’s a great guy and has been a true friend to the Cornelia Marie family.  Thank you Johnathan for all of your support.

Discovery Channel has set up a platform for Live chatting during the show here.  Of course, we’ve always had the ability for real strong supporters of the Cornelia Marie to chat live at http://www.deadliestcatchfan.com - just scroll down to the bottom of the home page.  I do hope they edit carefully and provide honor and justice to a good man.