Why Filming Deadliest Catch: The Viking Returns Made Sig Hansen Miss Alaska – Looper

For the first time in 25 years, the red king crab fishing season was completely canceled by Alaskan authorities. And although this was a major blow to every crab-pulling vessel on the Bering Sea, Sig and Mandy Hansen used this event as a reason to head back home to Scandinavia, Norway to supplement this lost income. And although this resulted in the Hansens scoring a new spinoff series, Sig explained why filming in Norway made him miss Alaska. And that reason simply boils down to territorial familiarity.

When it comes to having the knowledge to navigate the Bering Sea to find masses of catchable crab, Sig is among the best of them. “Not to sound arrogant or anything, but when it comes to Alaska and the Bering Sea, I kind of know that ocean like the back of my hand,” he said in an interview with Headliner Chicago. “I mean, I’ve got like a chart in my brain. I know where I’m going to go, what I’m going to do, even before a season starts.” And as was shown in the new spinoff series, this vast knowledge Sig usually has to map out a game plan went right out the window when entering brand-new territory.

Despite stepping thousands of miles away from their comfort zone, Sig and Mandy quickly adapted to their new crab-catching surroundings. In fact, it wasn’t only the waters that changed, but also the bounty itself, as “Deadliest Catch: The Viking Returns” sees the co-captains catch a newly discovered species, Troll Crab. So, despite the closure pushing many captains to other industries, Sig and Mandy Hansen have proven that a drastic adjustment can end up resulting in success.