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Mike S: Hey Keith, is it different for you not only running the Wizard now but also owning it?
Keith Colburn: Definitely. There are a lot of demands and jobs associated with both owning and being the captain of a vessel. Trying to balance both is a serious chore. With our new crab program, it's much worse than it was in the past for owner-operators.
SF Scrapper: What type of engines are in your boat, what size wheel and how much power?
Keith Colburn: Our main engine is a CAT 399. It has 1200 horsepower. The wheel is approximately 6 feet in diameter. We have four generators, R3306 Caterpillars, two of which are our main power supplies. They generate 175 kilowatts, which is probably enough power to light up your entire block.
Drinkr23: Iis there a web page that honors boats and fisherman who have died at sea?
Keith Colburn: Yes, there is. Many of the harbors and towns associated with fishing have memorials. The one in Seattle is the Seattle Fishermen's Memorial. The Seattle Fishermen's Memorial has scholarship programs for children of fishermen lost at sea. It is a great charity and I strongly encourage anyone to log on to their site.
AlexMeghXan: Now that you've been on TV, do you ever encounter people out in public who recognize you? Have you signed any autographs?
Keith Colburn: ::chuckles:: Yes, I have signed an autograph or two. As of yet, other than my little league baseball team, I'm still anonymous.
Rigaleto: What did you think when you saw your deckhand's finger was injured?
Keith Colburn: Lenny's injury was much worse than what was shown in the episode. The entire end of the finger was completely open with bone and tendons showing. It was a miracle it was not completely crushed or smashed. The first thought in my mind was, "We're going to have to take him in or the finger will be lost. And even then, it might still be lost."
EMT: Is your crew covered by healthcare? How do you handle such injuries?
Keith Colburn: The responsibility and burden lies on the boat owner. Insurance for crab vessels is some of the highest in the world for crews of this size. We take injuries very seriously and whenever possible seek immediate medical attention. But, being isolated in the Bering Sea and Aleutian island chains, sometimes medical attention for extremely serious injuries is not available in Dutch Harbor or the Bering Sea. These types of injuries need to be medivacked out immediately to Anchorage. Sometimes weather conditions will prohibit medivac to Anchorage, and because of this it makes the Bering Sea that much more dangerous.
