Crew Bios

Crew Bios

Meet the Crews From Season 3

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Each year, hundreds of fishermen converge on Dutch Harbor, Alaska, for the beginning of the Alaskan king crab season. While at sea, they face nearly 24-hour shifts for days at a time, in less than optimal conditions: 40-foot waves, 80-mph winds, subfreezing weather and 700-pound crab pots slamming against the deck — not to mention a nearly 100 percent injury rate.

But the payoff can be huge: Well-placed pots can collect millions of dollars worth of highly prized king crabs ... or just enough crabs to cover the boat's operating expenses. Whatever the take, the men and their families will feel the effects the rest of the year.

So who are these men, and, this season, women, risking their lives for their livelihood? Meet the crews of the eight boats featured during Deadliest Catch 3.

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Fishing Vessel: THE WIZARD
Capt. Keith Colburn of Redmond, Wash., has served at the helm of the Wizard for the last 14 years. He took a huge risk in 2005 purchasing the Wizard without any of her valuable crab quota. A World War II-era ship that was converted into a fishing vessel in 1978, the Wizard, a perennial top five producer, is one of the largest vessels in the fleet at 155 feet in length. Being forced to lease his entire crab quota, Keith struggled in his first year owning the Wizard. This season the stakes are that much higher for his ship and crew.

Joining Keith are his brother Monte, an experienced deckhand who takes over as skipper for the last half of opilio season; First Mate Gary Soper, a 20-year fishing veteran; and deckhands Art Peterson, Lenny Lekanoff, Crosby LeVeen and Nick Maurer (who returns to fishing two years after surviving a car wreck that broke both his legs).

Check out the Wizard's Web Site! (Please note that by clicking on this link, you will be leaving the Discovery Channel Web site.)