I always thought that it would be a cold day in hell when Capt. Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie would pass away. But it looks as if that day has come to pass. At the age of 53 he passed away a few hours ago. Our sadness is very overwhelming at the moment, as well as out thoughts and prayers are with Phil’s family and crew.

I as well as most of my family are avid Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Channel watchers and have been watching since the very first season. There is something about watching people do the most dangerous job in the world every week, knowing that it is not scripted, and that it is fiercely competitive but never to the point that they are not friends or extended family anymore.

I am sure that it sound crazy to some people that you would grow to care and worry about people that you don’t even know that are just on some TV show. But these men (and wives) are more than that, they are just like some crazy family that you want to be a part of. Even when they are so angry that they can’t even be in the same room let alone want to. They are such an important part of life on the Bering Sea as well.

I just know that this is a dark evening in our household and that we wish the best for Jake, Josh and the rest of Phil’s family as well as the rest of the fleet there in Dutch Harbor. I just want to say to Jake and Josh that you are very good boys and that I am sure your father would want you to take care of the Cornelia Marie and the crew by being the best captains/brothers that you can be. Know that most of the world is thinking about you and is sending you all of their well wishes. I know that we are.

Tagged: Bering Sea, brothers, capt. phil harris, cornelia marie, Crab fishing, deadliest catch, death, dutch harbor, family, jake harris, josh harris, king crab, phil harris on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 · 3 Comments »