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Ackmel: So how's the food on a crab boat? I'm sure it's a major task feeding your crew. Ever run out of food while out at sea?
Keith Colburn: Hopefully, my crew's not listening in! During the Derby days, and even now, I've always maintained that sleep is the number one priority, and food is number two in order to keep the guys going. From an ex-chef, you would think I'd be more in tune to keeping the guys fed well, but a lot of times all we survive on is microwave food. There isn't a lot of time between strings of gear the way we haul gear on the Wizard , and our two microwaves get replaced annually.
Dunno: I realize this is dangerous. But is it safer today than 15 years ago?
Keith Colburn: Every year it gets safer. Every year we learn more and more about how we're working out there, what it takes to maintain safety on the vessel through drills, training, and a watchful eye. Electronic safety equipment and without question, the US Coast Guard's presence has made the Bering Sea a safer place. But it's still the Bering Sea, we're still 200 miles offshore, and given the nature of the Bering Sea, when there's no place to hide sometimes things just happen.
Ltlindian: On average, how much does each crab weigh?
Keith Colburn: An average snow crab weighs 1 to 1.5 pounds An average king crab weighs 6.5 to 7 pounds. King crab in the Bering Sea can get as big as 10 to 12 pounds, or better. There is a third crab that we fish called Bairdi, which is basically a giant snow crab. You have not seen this in the stores for the last ten years because the crab biomass was very low and fisheries were closed. But it has rebounded big time, and we are currently starting to fish it again. These crabs can weigh as much as 2.5 to 3.5 pounds, and many think they are the best crab in the Bering Sea.
Adam: Have you ever worked on deck, and if so do you miss it?
Keith Colburn: I worked on deck a bunch. Nobody steps into the wheelhouse in the Bering Seas crab fishery without working on deck. I started my career as a stupid greenhorn and slowly worked my way up. My web site chronicles some of it, but soon I'll give you a real in depth idea of what it's like to be a greenhorn on the Bering Sea. If you can make it after one year on the Bering Sea, you can make it. Most guys only make it for a trip. Some guys make it for a month. The guys that have the mental toughness to survive that first year can then work their way up from greenhorn to deck hand to deck boss to engineer to mate or relief skipper and then ultimately get their own command of a vessel. That was the route I had.
Adam: Do you keep a close relationship with crew members when you aren't fishing?
Keith Colburn: My crew lives all over the country. There's a fine line between being good friends and also being the one responsible and making the calls when you're in the Bering Sea. I feel all of my crew are my friends, but once you start fishing, business and the chain of command are absolute. Away from fishing, periodically, I do hang out with my crew.
