Thanks to Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, we seafood affectionatos have a new appreciation for what it takes to provide those scrumptious crab legs we love to dip in butter sauce. The work is hard, the conditions are dangerous, and the pressure is always on to haul in full pots, even in horrible freezing weather that serves up the waves the size of apartment buildings and makes the deck a virtual skating rink. No one is under more pressure than the captains of these vessels and Sig Hansen, who sits in the chair of The Northwestern has had his share of triumph and tragedy both on and off camera. Here are five things you may not know about the Northwestern’s blond and ruggedly handsome captain, Sig Hansen.
5. Sig Hansen Hits the Big Screen
Unless you faithfully watch After the Catch, a sit down with the stars after the show, you might miss that Sig Hansen is now a motion picture star! In 2011 Sig provided the voice of ‘Crabby” for the Pixar film Cars 2. The Northwestern has been given the Pixar treatment to the delight of Deadliest Catch fans. Above is a clip of Sig recording the role.
4. Quitting Smoking Has Been Hard for Sig
During the early seasons of Deadliest Catch, we rarely saw Sig without a cigarette in hand. After he had a quite serious heart attack, a ‘Widowmaker” he was told he must stop smoking. Easier said than done when your job is that high pressure. He was worried about returning to fishing smoke-free. On the show we see him using nicotine patches and showing us that yes, for him, the struggle is real. It was too late for the heavy smoker Captain Phil Harris pf the Cornelia Marie who died in 2010 after a brave battle to stay alive for his family, but if Sig sticks to the plan there is hope. With the encouragement of his family and his crew, Sig is taking the doc’s advice literally to heart.
3. Sig’s Ex Had Him Arrested
Again and again, since 1990 Sig’s Ex-wife has brought charges that he abused his daughter when she was three years old. His daughter, who grew up to be a family law attorney, is sticking to the story. Sig denies this and the courts have not found proof to substantiate the charges, according to the Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/daughter-sues-deadliest-catch-star-sig-hansen-alleging-she-was-molested-as-a-child/. His estranged daughter is looking to file a civil suit against her father concerning the matter.
2. The Hansen Family Fishing Legacy
In case seeing him and his brother on board does not prove the point, a look at the Hansen family history reveals that deep water commercial fishing is in Sig’s blood. The ship The Northwestern was christened by Sig’s grandparents, Snefrid and Sverre Hansen in 1977. Sig was serving as a Relief Captain when he was just 22 years old, eventually taking over the helm on a permanent basis. The boat is now co-owned by Sig and his brothers. The Northwestern has been extended twice in length over the years to accommodate more pots so they can bring in bigger catches.
1. Sig Is a Different Guy When On Land
Yes, he has to kick butt and take names when he’s leading from the Captain’s Chair, yet Sig is known to be a very sensitive man. He and his brother love to watch TV, including Dancing With the Stars, according to a People article.
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