F/V Wizard Braves Bering Sea with New Crew and Daring Walrus Hunt in Deadliest Catch Season

In the heart of the Bering Sea, the F/V Wizard, under the seasoned command of Captain Keith Colburn, continues to make waves in the 2025 crab fishing season, as showcased on Deadliest Catch. Aired on September 23, 2025, the latest episode highlights the vessel’s relentless pursuit of crab amidst treacherous winter conditions, with a revamped crew and a jaw-dropping attempt to harvest a walrus carcass. The Wizard, a 155-foot crabber with a storied history, welcomed new deckhands to replace veterans lost to the industry’s grueling demands, while deckhand Freddy Maugatai’s fearless dive into icy waters to secure a walrus underscored the crew’s audacity. This high-stakes adventure, blending new blood and bold risks, cements the Wizard’s legacy in one of the world’s deadliest professions.

The Wizard, built in 1945 as a U.S. Navy yard oiler and converted into a crab fishing vessel in 1978, has been a powerhouse in the Bering Sea under Colburn’s leadership since 2005. With high Individual Fishing Quotas (IFQs) for king and opilio crab, the vessel consistently ranks among the fleet’s top producers, as noted in a 2024 Reddit discussion. This season, however, the Wizard faced fresh challenges with the integration of new crew members. The high burnout rate of greenhorns, as highlighted in Deadliest Catch’s portrayal of rookie fishermen, meant Colburn had to onboard fresh talent to replace departing hands. “New guys gotta prove themselves fast out here,” Keith told his crew, emphasizing the steep learning curve in a job where mistakes can be fatal.

Among the newcomers is Tyler Gateman, a young deckhand and son of Colburn’s best friend, whose trial by fire came during a Season 20 fire aboard the Wizard. Rescued from behind a wall of flames, Tyler’s grit earned him a permanent spot. Joining him is a greenhorn, Alex Reed, a 22-year-old Alaskan eager to prove his mettle. “It’s sink or swim,” Alex said, grappling with 700-pound crab pots in 20-foot waves. The veterans—deck boss Gary Soper, first mate Monte Colburn, and deckhand Lenny Lekanoff—guide the rookies, though Soper’s notorious hazing, filled with sharp wit and dirty jokes, tests their resolve. “Greenhorns either toughen up or wash out,” Soper remarked, echoing his two decades of experience on the Wizard.

The episode’s wildest moment came when the crew spotted a walrus carcass floating in the Bering Sea, its tusks a potential $10,000 prize for Alaskan Native crew member Lenny Lekanoff, who is legally permitted to harvest them under 1972 regulations. Freddy Maugatai, known for his fearless antics, took the challenge to a new level. Stripping down in the sub-zero winter waters, he dove onto the decomposing carcass to secure a line, defying hypothermia risks. “Freddy just jumped in the f*cking water on me,” Keith exclaimed, stunned by the deckhand’s boldness. The crew hauled the walrus aboard, with Freddy’s Samoan heritage fueling his ritualistic celebration—smearing fish blood on his face, a nod to his cultural traditions. The daring move paid off, but not without shaking the crew, who pulled Freddy from the icy sea before hypothermia set in.

The Wizard’s success hinges on more than daring stunts. Keith’s calculated leadership, honed since his days as a greenhorn in 1985, balances caution and aggression. His brother Monte, the relief captain, brings a laid-back style that contrasts Keith’s intensity, though tensions flare, as seen in a Season 4 argument captured by wireless mics despite cameras being turned off. The new crew members navigate this dynamic, with Alex struggling to keep pace under Monte’s relaxed oversight and Keith’s demanding scrutiny. “Monte lets me breathe, but Keith’s always watching,” Alex noted, reflecting Lenny’s preference for Monte’s style.

The Bering Sea’s dangers remain ever-present. Rogue waves, mechanical failures, and human error create a deadly trifecta, with commercial fishing boasting a fatality rate 23 times higher than other professions. A 2024 super snow moon unleashed massive tides, rocking the Wizard as the crew clung to crab pots. Climate change adds complexity, shifting crab populations and forcing the fleet into uncharted waters. The 2005 IFQ system, which downsized the fleet from 250 to 80 boats, improved safety by ending chaotic derby fishing, but the Wizard’s high quotas demand relentless work. “We fish until the hold’s full or we break,” Keith said, underscoring the stakes.

Deadliest Catch captures these raw moments, blending authentic peril with crafted drama. While some scenes, like a Season 4 rogue wave sequence, were edited for continuity, the show’s core remains real. The Wizard’s crew, old and new, embodies this reality. Freddy’s walrus stunt, Gary’s steady hand, and the greenhorns’ baptism by fire reflect the camaraderie and sacrifice that define crab fishing. Off-screen, the industry faces challenges—Alaskan workers earn less than out-of-state counterparts, sparking fairness debates amid state subsidies for the show. Yet, the Wizard’s story resonates, driven by Keith’s legacy and the crew’s unyielding spirit.

As the Wizard sails on, the integration of new crew members and bold feats like Freddy’s swim keep viewers glued to Deadliest Catch. The Bering Sea tests every soul aboard, from veterans like Lenny, whose Aleut roots tie him to the region, to rookies like Alex, fighting to belong. “This job’s not for the faint-hearted,” Keith told the cameras, a sentiment echoed by the crew’s grit. Whether chasing crab or wrestling walruses, the Wizard’s journey is a testament to the resilience required to conquer the sea’s wrath, proving that in the Bering Sea, every day is a battle for survival and glory.