Alaskan Crab Wars Ignite: Rival Vessels Evo and Wizard Narrowly Avoid Collision in Quest for Untouched Bounty
In the unforgiving expanse of the Bering Sea, where fortunes are made and lives hang in the balance, a high-stakes confrontation between rival crab fishing vessels has kicked off the 2024 king crab season with adrenaline-fueled intensity. Captains Jonathan Hillstrand and Keith Colburn, aboard their respective boats, engaged in a nail-biting game of chicken that nearly ended in collision, all in pursuit of untouched crab grounds far to the west—territory uncharted by fishermen for 42 years.
The drama began as the Evo, under Jonathan’s command, staked its claim in the remote western waters, a bold gamble aimed at securing a massive payday. “I’m way west as far as we can legally go,” Jonathan radioed, emphasizing the risk. “It was a risk, but hopefully it pays off.” But the isolation was short-lived when the Wizard, captained by the tenacious Keith Colburn, appeared on the horizon like a shadow from the deep. “See that? We got a bogey. It’s a big black boat. White wheelhouse. That’s the Wizard. It is Keith,” came the alert from the Evo’s crew.
Tensions escalated as the boats maneuvered perilously close, each refusing to yield. “All right, this is going to be way too tight. I’ve got the right of way. John, you have to back down,” one captain barked over the radio. “Negative. Resetting. Evo, get out of our way,” came the defiant response. Crews scrambled, donning survival suits in preparation for the worst: “Get your survival suit on. These guys might hit us. Idiots.”
The standoff reached a fever pitch with Jonathan declaring, “I’m going straight at him,” while Keith’s voice crackled back, “If they think they’re going to cut me off, they are wrong.” In a heart-stopping moment, one vessel finally swerved: “I got to turn. I’m turning. I’m turning. I ain’t going to make it, idiot.” Laughter erupted as the other boat claimed victory: “Enjoy that walk of shame.”
The rivalry traces back to familiar faces in the crab fishing world, including Sig Hansen, who joined forces with Jonathan. “One of you knuckleheads isn’t enough. Two knuckleheads on the boat,” quipped a crew member, highlighting the personal stakes. Keith’s arrival was no coincidence; as one fisherman noted, “Somehow Keith figured out where we’re going. This is a long war. This is the first battle. We have not yet begun to fight.”
Undeterred, the crews pressed on with their hauls. The Evo’s team geared up for the season’s inaugural pot pull: “First King Crab Pot of 2024. This is not on any chart.” Excitement built as pots were deployed in hopes of “monster crab.” “We don’t want to see the girls and the little guys. We want to see the big boys,” a deckhand shouted. For Jonathan, the ultimate goal is clear: “I came out to the west for one reason and one reason only. To get rich enough so I could buy the Titan.”
This clash underscores the brutal realities of king crab fishing—territorial battles, life-threatening risks, and the allure of a “monster paycheck.” As the season unfolds, these captains and their crews will battle not just each other, but the sea itself. In the words of one veteran: “We’ve worked too hard for this spot. I’m not backing down.”