Posted on February 27, 2010 - by Morgan Howard
The Future of the Cornelia Marie
The season premiere of “Deadliest Catch” will be April 13, 2010. This will be the sixth season of the “Deadliest Catch” and the fifth season that the “Cornelia Marie” has been featured on the show. The television crew from Original Productions boards our boat during the fall for King Crab season and then in January to videotape the Opilio Season. They videotaped the King Crab season on board with Capt. Phil and the crew. In fact, the King Crab season included a “near collision” of the F/V Cornelia Marie and the chase boat.
Up to and through the passing of our skipper, the Discovery Channel cameras have been rolling. The cameras were present in the hospital with Capt. Phil and up to the end. The cameras then accompanied much of the activity in the weeks following, up to the private memorial for Capt. Phil on February 21st. We don’t know how Discovery will choose to edit the show. It’s true that Phil allowed the cameras into his hospital room after surgery. While still recovering from surgery, Phil was unable to talk so he wrote a note to keep shooting, because “we need a great finish to this story”. I actually thought one week after the stroke that he indeed was going to make a great recovery. As a boy coming of age on Alaska fishing boats, I always thought of skippers as rather indestructible.
According to the show producer Thom Beers, whether any of the hospital footage will air will be a decision made later with Phil’s family. I think that is the right decision and really the only appropriate way to go.
Most likely the cameras will be present at the beginning of the next King Crab opening in October to videotape Phil’s ashes being scattered into the Bering Sea. Whether the Discovery Channel wishes to follow the Cornelia Marie through the remainder of the King Crab season and the Opilio season will be up to them. Of course, the F/V Cornelia Marie is a fishing boat and needs to keep on working. Appearing on the TV show doesn’t pay the bills, only bringing crab aboard does that. We were fishing before the TV show and we’ll be fishing after the TV show.
Many have asked us if Jake and Josh will continue fishing. It’s too soon to tell. As part owners of the boat, they would always have that choice. Many have also asked if Josh or Jake will now take over as Captain. The job of skipper and deckhand are two different worlds. Many great deckhands never become skippers for very good reasons. Being a skipper is one the most stressful jobs in the world. Things will become more clear as the months go by and we get closer to King Crab in October.
The F/V Cornelia Marie will finish Opilio fishing in a few weeks. Our current skipper, Derrick Ray has done his best to finish off this tough season. As stated earlier, Derrick is an old family friend who started his career earlier on the precursor to the Cornelia Marie – the F/V Milky Way. The Milky Way was one of the boats owned by Ralph Collins who owned and built the F/V Cornelia Marie.
We are grateful to all the fans of the Cornelia Marie and Capt. Phil. Thank you for the many nice words left here and other places on the internet. I hope this blog entry answers some questions. Capt. Phil was one of a kind and is missed by everyone. I look forward to the new season with apprehension. It will be strange to see Phil brought back to life on videotape only to face what we all know happened. Yet, I also assume the camera captured new joyful and humorous moments too – so that will be good.
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August 21, 2010
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Em. said:
I just started watching the show and Phil was an instant favorite for me mostly for his abilities as a skipper. Maybe it’s all the true and sad rescue at sea stories I’ve been reading this summer. The safety of a crew is with the captain.
Phil had/has an overall charisma about him that reminds me of a well-seasoned fishing captain circa the 1800′s! A time before GPS and EPIRB with limited USCG services. I would have gone to sea with him in that era and in this one and that’s saying a lot because as much as I love the seas I am _terrified_ of open water… (All attempts to “get over it” have failed.)
I love the show. Josh and Jake, you keep your heads up and keep on going. Find positive ways to cope. Physical exercise is a good way to release anger but grief is tougher. God bless you both and keep you safe.
Seattle, WA
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August 28, 2010
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kelly burgess said:
I watched Phil for a time and all I know is,I would have wanted to work for someone like him for my job. I’m a female, but he only asked what he would have given himself. I hope that you boys will move forward and use the door that has opened for you. I know you both will do well! Best wishes….I will be thinking of you both!
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August 29, 2010
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lee blakeley said:
R.I.P CAPTAIN PHIL,U WILL BE SADLY MISSED…..
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August 29, 2010
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Bre said:
When I emailed Phil on Meerkat Manor show & the love of Flower, the momma and he is writing to me on each show. I even offered to tape each show to make him a DVD on it as he was at sea, but he had TIVO to do it.
Then Flower dies & I get an email that had me bawling since he can write with feeling. Never knew about the birdhouses as I have 76 cedar house that raise 70 wrens that I nickname Sputzies since they are so adorable, eat seed in the winter & suet in the summer. Fun too fund a baby that is the learn to fly. SO I pick them up, give them something to eat with a shaped spoon. Then they get in my hand with my husband about 20 feet away & I pump my hand up & down to get wings going, for good exsercize. Then she took off & flew to my husband. Then he aimed her at a tree & she flew & perched. Mom joined her, so we knew she was OK.
Monday I get a call from the library that book I reserved isw there for me. NORTH BY NORTHWESTERN by Sig Hansen, What a wonderful read on his family, pix of his dad who he is an exact copy of. I applaud Sig for a wonderful pice of work on Norway, on fishing, on him becoming Captain of Northwestern. He was a great friend of Phil’s, will take care of Josh & Jake for him.
So get the book & enjoy the read which we deserve after the great story Discovery & Thom put together for all of us as a salute to Phil.. As I watch hours of reruns, I just smile when Phil is on. The tears are cured & he is a great part of my life. I thank Discovery for giving the World this wonderful show.
Josh on TV states he wants to buy the other half from Cornelia & her ex-husband. Since they are a top part of Deadliest Catch I feel Discovery should buy it & loan the other half til they pay for it, and I feel Josh has the scense to do it.
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September 10, 2010
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sharon jeffries said:
hi there.i have only just discoverd the sad news of phils passing.livivng in the uk,we have only just started to watch the new season here.in the trailers it asks if the crew can face up to the death of a much loved captain?i instanly knew who it was.and i must say it filled me with horror.phil was my favourite from the show,and i havent missed a season with him in it.my thoughts,even months on,are with phils family,especially jake and josh.u guys make me laugh,and remind me so much of me and my sister.i hope that in time things will get easier,and that you continue to make your dad proud.you were his world.and i only knew this just watching the show.god bless you.RIP CAPTAIN PHIL HARRIS XXXX
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September 10, 2010
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Bre said:
Great surprise from SIG HANSEN with his new book that was just released last month: NORTH BY NORTHWESTERN. What great timing after all of us are mouring the loss of Phil to be able to sit down and read the history of the Hansen family. See photos of Sig’s dad who is he. Then to read the friendship he had with phil & his boys, who he will look after since they are neighbors in Washington.
I got mine at the library with the bookstores selling out.
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October 5, 2010
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marc said:
i sow the best of the sesson 5 and at the end i saw that i’m very sad he was a great capitain
marc from belgium
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October 14, 2010
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Verna said:
We’ll always miss you Phil. You and your crew made the show interesting. I always said If I had to make a choice of which boat to send my son or grandsons on (not that I would want them on) I would chose Phil’s. May God bless RIP. To Josh and Jake, you have big shoes to fill, you can do it! Josh reminds me alot of Phil. Love you guys.
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November 3, 2010
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PETER O HALLORAN said:
to all on the cornneila marie a
, a big loss of a big hearted loving man.the spirit of phil will always watch and protect every voyage ye make.
carry on the great work cause thats what phil would have wished for.to losh and jake live in the fond memorys of a great dad.best of luck in the future.
peter o halloran.. Ireland.
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November 9, 2010
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Sammy said:
I have watched the deadliest catch now for a couple of r years and think iys such a great show to see real dilemmas fishermen have to indure in such a savage sea…all for us to buy the crab.
I loved Capt Phil..he was one of the best…excellent fisherman and also a wonderful father. I hope that Josh and Jake can take over where their father has left off.
My sympathies are with Jake and Josh and for the whole family. Its hard to lose a parent…as I know(lost my Father) but times a great healer and I know The the boys will do their dad proud xxx
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November 10, 2010
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David Camilleri said:
Hi, after following the seasons on discovery for sometime it felt like I knew these guys ecspcially the crew on this boat like involving the family and being together great idea a true family man, watching the last episode last night at 34 years old I really felt like I lost something also, hard to explain. I hope it all goes well for the boys and they can keep themselves together and to sort out their issues quickly. I think now they should keep the boat running in the memory of their father I’d say that’s what he would have wanted. Phil Harris rest in peace mate.
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November 11, 2010
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René said:
Hi to all from Germany…There’s nothing more to say to the other posts…saddest message of this year for me…find your strength, guys…and the crabs.
To Josh/Jake…do you guys know the band Port O’Brien ?…just listening to their album ‘All We Could Was Sing’…The songs #2 + 3…as it would be written for you…(‘Stuck On A Boat’ & ‘Fisherman’s Son’)…
Get this damn crabs…Greetz René
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November 27, 2010
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lloyd gowern said:
too the of mem cornile marie with a heavy heart i will miss phil in a way he was the one of the best part of wacthing the show because the way he love the sea and his two boys and the crew and the restect of all that fish for a pay check phil you will never be forgetton god bless you and your boys and long live the cornile marie and the crew
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December 11, 2010
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Dave said:
My condolences to the boys, Josh and Jake. It may only be a show on tv, but I still feel like I know the guys and I feel sorrow for the passing of Phil Harris. We’re all here for a short time and the end comes sometimes without warning. All the best to you guys, I hope everything works out for you all.
D.B. – Plantation, Florida.
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December 15, 2010
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torsten said:
i am from germany and a verry big fan from phil harrys and his crew.all i want to say is that i am verry sad abiut his death.phil harrys was a graet man and a good captain.i`m shure he is watching his boys from up there.all the best i can give to the family of phil.and allways a full pod for phil harrys
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December 19, 2010
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leon antonis NL said:
r.i.p phil
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December 22, 2010
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Daniel Becker said:
Hi this is a reaction from The Netherlands.
I shall miss Captain Phil Harris
R.I.P Captain Phil
For your sons Jake and Josh, take care of the fishinggrounds …..
Greetings Daniel
Groningen, NL
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December 26, 2010
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jen said:
deadliest catch won’t be the same with out phill
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December 27, 2010
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Chris Whitelaw said:
Capt Phil was a man of his word right to, and including the end. From an aircraft Captain to the Captain and crew of FV Cornelia Marie, may the wind be at your backs.
Gentlemen, you are a credit to yourselves, your profession, and to the wider world, many of whom will have learned the meaning of the word “dignity” from you.
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December 27, 2010
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Mickey said:
Phil you will be sadly missed i Hope the boys can carry on with the boat like there dad Good luck boys WE WILL BE THINKING OF YOU
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December 27, 2010
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leon antonis NL said:
it’s overwhelming to see how phill is commamorated,for just beeing phill.
honest,straight as an arrow,and a great father….and even a greater fisherman.
as I said before r.i.p phill….save passings from leon antonis netherlands.
p.s
please boys
keep the
Cornelia Mare at float,
make phill proude!!!!
greatings leon;)
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December 29, 2010
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Flemming Larsen said:
Being an old salt myself (42 years on the high seas) I would hate to see that fine vessel, Cornelia Marie, go the same way as her splendid Skipper. So, keep her sailing boys. Thank you for the episodes on TV. Best of luck Josh and Jake and the rest of the crew
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December 29, 2010
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leon antonis NL said:
keep youre ship at float boys,phill would have wanted that for shure!!!
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December 31, 2010
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Everlee Best said:
No one knows the loss of a captain more than those of us who have lost loved ones who were Captains and Commercial Fishermen. My father was a commercial fisherman most of his life to leave me his leagacy of the intuition of catching fish only to be a female that few if any recognize as having that talent. One day I hope to be able to feel the accomplishment that he felt. Phill will be sorely missed a Fisher of Men Haulin in the catch of the day with Our Lord Who is the Greatest of all Fisherman. R.I.P. Phil and show the man upstairs how it’s done, Ev
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December 31, 2010
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Michelle St Denis said:
To the Family of Phil – specifically his two sons…I hope that the memory of your loving father will be held close to your hearts. Carry on in his footsteps and make him proud. Josh and Jake, you should be happy to have had spent so much time at your father’s side on the boat doing what he loved. You are lucky to have had him guide you morally and in business. Stand tall and pay tribute.
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January 5, 2011
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Graeme Rennie said:
well when i saw and heard the passing of captain phill harris i broke down in tears i loved the man for his heart know the the feeling of loss i lost my brother when i was 7 and my best ever frend 3 years ago and i even bought a cap and a hoody of the f/v cornelia marie in his memory and i wear it with pride so i love you phill and R.I.P respcts G R Garage services Mobile Mecanic and Graeme Rennie Aberdeen Scotland
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January 13, 2011
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luke said:
i have been watching deadliest catch scince i was 8 i love it won’t be the same without captin phill Harris. keep the boat going josh and jake dont give up.
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February 25, 2011
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CÉSAR RRN (BRASIL) said:
O capitão Phil foi e sempre será o melhor, era o mais carismatico e brincalhão!!! vai fazer muita falta!!! abraços Josh e Jake e continuem a levar o cornelia marie a grandes pescarias!!!
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March 15, 2011
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coryeats said:
RIP Captain Phil. I am praying for the crew of the Cornelia Marie.
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March 23, 2011
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wellington said:
Capitão Phil que DEUS esteja com tigo, e que proteja o cornelia marie e sua tribulação fica em paz irmão.
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April 9, 2011
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Jsmith said:
First off to Jake, Josh, The entire Harris family, and the crew..our hearts and prayers are with you.
I have watched the show from day one, and Captain Harris was my favorite. The way Sig said it stated it best..What you see is what you got. No b.s. just strait forward. A mans man. I only know Captain through the t.v. but would have loved to had a duck fart with him & heard some old stories.
Boys keep his legacy & honor alive and he forver in your heart.
R.I.P. Captain
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April 25, 2011
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speed said:
phil was the best, gonna miss the big guys laugh, his laugh always made me laugh.
rest in peace big guy.
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April 26, 2011
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Bev said:
Jake, I am praying that you stay on your program and off of dope of any kind, including pot….Good luck to you and Josh.
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April 26, 2011
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Thomas said:
I’ve been a fan of Deadliest Catch for a
couple of seasons now on Discovery.
Honestly i don’t care about the crew of
the fishing boats all i remember are the
names of the vessels. I don’t remember
about the names all i remember are the
actions that took place on the rough
sea. Until i came up with this article.
The man was very familiar but i don’t
know who he is. I feel sorry for his
loss. He is certainly one of the main
character of the show. I remember him as
a brave man steering his crew towards
the high seas and back safely.
Thomas M.
Writer=mens wool coats
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April 27, 2011
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Jennifer said:
Jake,
I too struggled with addiction for many years, its a cunning and powerful demon that justifys terrible actions.Your dad was abrasive yet very loving person. Don’t let your demons control you. Your father is now your higher power and your reason to rise above. I have been sober for 5 years now and life gets better and better everyday one day at a time.Stay close to your brother its the way your dad would have wanted it.Even though I did not know him I honor the memory of Captain Phil Harris. Stay strong and stay sober.
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April 30, 2011
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locco said:
il capitano Phil Harris è stato il migliore di tutti, seguire le sue orme non è facile ma con coraggio e decisione riuscirete a tenere alto il nome della Cornelia-marie. Ragazzi, vostro padre sarà sempre in barca con voi.
ciao
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May 11, 2011
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Valerie said:
The man was an icon. I’ll miss him. The show will never be the same.
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May 13, 2011
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c chapman said:
hey jake,
i’ll probly piss off alot of people by saying this, but SO WHAT if you’re smokin’ weed man??!! The shit SHOULD be legal anyway, but IT’S NOT so for all you haters you’re getting your way for now.
HOWEVER, as a former stoner of at least 20 years I do have to say you picked a pisspoor time to smoke out!!
Honestly man, you have not only crab to catch, bags to find, computers and instruments to read, engines to maintain, but MOST IMPORTANTLY you have the controls to a DEATH TRAP to your fellow crewmates!!
I really LOVE your boat, and I, along with millions of others adored your old man, but I can honestly say after I’e seen you “allegedly” popping pills and smoking weed and then wanting to drive the boat that I WOULD NOT work for you dude!!
Is that the kind of reputation you want?? I guess it’ll work if you have an entire crew of stoners, but somehow I just don’t believe that’s a very smart combination on a crab boat. To paraphrase something I saw in one of your interviews
“It’s like putting ketchup on ice cream, it just don’t work!”
I’m not judging you, i’m not necessarily advocating the use of marijuana, and I’m certainly NOT telling you to get blowed down before you work OR drive, but what I am saying is that if you truly wan to run a crab boat, which i assume you do, I believe you should pick and choose your times to get fucked up ok??!!
I have a feeling that your father probably drank and did every drug known to man while driving that damn boat, but son… that doesn’t make it right!
just my two cents bro! take it for what it s worth!!
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May 15, 2011
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Ricardo Aguirre (Argentina) said:
Desde hace algun tiempo segui con gran interes cada capitulo de cada temporada de Pesca Mortal, como todo reality, el espectador se involucra con todos los protagonistas, hay hechos que hacen que ese interes sea mayor cuando sucede algun caso de enfermedad, eso me paso con Phil (Cornelia Marie), en mi pais Argentina estamos viendo cuando el capitan es sometido a una intervencion neurologica, ansioso esperaba ver el proximo capitulo para tener novedades de la evolucion de Phil (14/5/2011), con mucho dolor hoy 15/5/2011, a traves de este portal me entere de dos terribles noticias, la peor, que el Capital Phil habia fallecido y la segunda no menos terrible, que su deceso se produjo el 21/2/2010.
Se podra alterar el orden de los capitulos, no en cambio una tan triste noticia
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May 16, 2011
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Saskia Feenstra said:
For many weeks I have followed on tv the deadliest catch and have great respect for the men working on the vessels in those weather conditions. i was very sad to see that my favorite captain Phil had to go to hospital and passed away. It was always great to see and hear him, he was so different from the other captains. Although it happened last year and Josh and Jake have to carry on without him, I wish them all the best. You can do it! With or without your father, he will always be with you in heart and mind.
Take care,
Saskia
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May 17, 2011
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Yasmin said:
The captain reminded me of my dad. He was a familiar face on TV, and I’ll miss him dearly.
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May 23, 2011
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Ben W. said:
I think the Cornelia Marie should remain on the seas until she is physically unable, as a tribute to her Captain.
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May 24, 2011
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Debbie Hager said:
I have watched Deadliest Catch from the beginning. I have also worked almost as hard as the men on board have. I have laughed with them, and cried when everyone lost Capt. Phil. I have been proud of the men and all the Capt, until now. Capt. Derrick, I’m a lady and can’t say what I think of you. You need to hang your head LOW.
Those boys gave you EVERY opportunity to prove yourself. You failed. It was costing them, OUT OF THEIR POCKETS, and they STILL gave you a chance. You should be ashamed!
I’m glad to see you go.
I can only pray for the crew of the Cornelia Marie that God grants her a Captain that will love her as much as her crew does.
Derrick, you know what you can go do.
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May 25, 2011
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Dave morris said:
Im x navy. To the best crab catcher in the fleet fair winds and following sees
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May 26, 2011
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Zane said:
The man was an inspiration, and gave ‘reality television’ a good name, for a change.
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May 29, 2011
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kyle said:
I may have meant the North Western. I really don’t pay much attention.
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July 23, 2011
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Marcos Lopes said:
I hope that the children of Phil read it. I always saw the program “Deadliest Catch”. And I would love to see your father, he did remember me. My father died five years is, I miss it, it seems like yesterday. If I feel it by my, imagine how you must be feeling. A big hug to you from Brazil / Rio de Janeiro.
Marcos
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August 26, 2011
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Kerry Enser said:
I am still curious about where the boat will end up — on display somewhere? It would be a fantastic museum and tribute.
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September 1, 2011
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Mauro Valenga Jr. said:
Lamentamos profudamente a morte de Phil Harris, eu e minha familia, meu filho Lucas, sempre assistimos, e acostumamos a gostar e ver os programas (pesca Mortal). Sem sombra de duvida um dos capitães mais queridos nosso.
Força aos seus filhos,… rezamos por Phil. Abraços.
Mauro Valenga Junior
chapecó – sc BRAZIL.
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September 12, 2011
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Kevin White said:
The king crab season is the best season in the Deadliest Catch and there are lots of adventure/adrenaline rush event during that season. Some of the event where they was caught in the midst of iceberg. I love that season and for the cool, funk looking captain of Cornelia Marie (Phil Harris), thanks for the memory that you have in this season and for his family I feel saddened for his lost as well.