‘Deadliest Catch’ captain Harris dies

Reality show fisherman suffered a massive stroke in Alaska on Jan. 29

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Phil Harris, the fishing boat captain whose adventures off the Alaska coast were captured on the television show “Deadliest Catch”, has died, the Discovery Channel said Tuesday night. He was 53.


Harris suffered what his family described as a massive stroke on Jan. 29 while the fishing vessel he captained, Cornelia Marie, was in port at St. Paul Island, Alaska. The fisherman was flown to Anchorage for surgery.

The reality show, which has filmed five seasons, has been one of the Discovery Channel’s most popular and depicts the crab fishing industry in the dangerous waters off Alaska.

“It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad — Captain Phil Harris. Dad has always been a fighter and continued to be until the end,” sons Josh and Jake Harris said in a statement released by the network. “For us and the crew, he was someone who never backed down.”


In a statement, Discovery Channel senior vice president Elizabeth Hillman says, “Phil was a devoted father and loyal friend to all who knew him.”

“We will miss his straightforward honesty, wicked sense of humor and enormous heart,” she said.

In an e-mail to The Associated Press, she said no additional information was immediately available Tuesday night.

Harris had seemed to be improving, and in a posting last Saturday on the ship’s Web site, he was described as “talking to friends and family today; showing his greatest progress” since the stroke.

His sons wrote in a Feb. 3 posting that “No one ever said Captain Phil Harris wasn’t tough. Today, dad showed some good signs of improvement, squeezing our hands and even summoning his trademark Captain’s bluntness ... We are encouraged but still very cautious.”

According to the ship’s Web site, Harris started working on fishing boats at age 7 and started work 10 years later on a crab boat. When Harris turned 21, he ran a fishing vessel out of Seattle, making him one of the youngest to captain a vessel in the Bering Sea.

When Harris suffered the stroke, the family said a friend, Derek Ray, had flown to St. Paul to take over the role of relief skipper for the rest of the opilio crab season.

Harris’ fishing vessel was based in Seattle.

Discovery Mourns the Loss of Captain Phil Harris

UPDATE: February 9, 2010: It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad - Captain Phil Harris. Dad has always been a fighter and continued to be until the end. For us and the crew, he was someone who never backed down. We will remember and celebrate that strength. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. - Jake and Josh Harris

Statement from Discovery - Discovery mourns the loss of dear friend and colleague Captain Phil Harris. He was more than someone on our television screen. Phil was a devoted father and loyal friend to all who knew him. We will miss his straightforward honesty, wicked sense of humor and enormous heart. We share our tremendous sadness over this loss with the millions of viewers who followed Phil's every move. We send our thoughts and prayers to Phil's sons Josh and Jake and the Cornelia Marie crew.

CAPT. PHIL MAKES PROGRESS TOWARD RECOVERY

POSTED ON FEBRUARY 6, 2010 - BY MORGAN

CAPT. PHIL MAKES PROGRESS TOWARD RECOVERY

CAPT. PHIL FEATURED

Capt. Phil was talking to friends and family today; showing his greatest progress since he suffered a massive stroke one week ago.  It’s been a long and difficult week for friends and family as Phil was medivaced from St. Paul Island and under went surgery.

Capt. Phil’s sons Josh and Jake have been at this hospital and continue to stay by their father’s side.  Some Bering Sea fishermen have also come by to pay Phil a visit.

Meanwhile, the F/V Cornelia Marie has been back fishing for Opilios.  The season has really just begun, so there’s much more fishing to do.

Great folks from around the world have sent their messages of encouragement and get-well soon greetings – for this, we will always be thankful.  Many cards have been sent and they will all get to Phil as he recovers.

News on Phil Harris

No one ever said Captain Phil Harris wasn't tough. Today, dad showed some good signs of improvement, squeezing our hands and even summoning his trademark Captain's bluntness by telling the doctors and nurses, "Don't f*ck up." We are encouraged but still very cautious. It is a long road ahead, but its made more bearable and comforting knowing your thoughts and prayers are with us. We are strong because of you -- our fans. Thanks and we will continue to update you as best we can going forward.

**From http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/deadliestcatch/phil-harris/ **

Thank You From CorneliaMarie.com

Posted on February 3, 2010 - by morgan

THANK YOU FROM CORNELIAMARIE.COM

Thank you to everyone who has shared their concern for Capt. Phil, his family and crew. We have received thousands of emails and comments from everywhere. We know many of you have met Capt. Phil and his boys during one of their public appearances or have spent many hours with him through watching the “Deadliest Catch”. We appreciate all who have sent good thoughts and prayers… It is a meaningful act and we really appreciate it during this difficult time.

As we said in the last post, we will let you know when we have any substantial news about Capt. Phil. He continues to be supported by Jake and Josh and other family and friends.

We’ve heard many folks asking where they can send get well cards. Please send correspondence to:

Captain Phil Harris

PO Box 32466

Amarillo, TX 79120-2466

From there, they will be handled by Phil’s good friend and then delivered to him later.

Once again, we thank you for your support.