One of the first things we learned was that crab fishing is not for the weary but rather for those seeking adventure and a huge adrenalin rush! A crab fisherman must be absolutely fearless. Falling into freezing waters, not far below the Arctic Circle, will afford a fisherman a mere10 minutes of life! Considering it takes the boat 11 minutes to turn around...well, you get the drift. Each outing, these men risk their very lives. Likewise, they must possess great stamina. They work long stretches that can reach 28 or more hours. The average amount of sleep is four hours per day. Working both day and night, sleep depravation is a risk and must be closely monitored. Fatalities in this industry are among the highest (per number of workers) of all U.S. jobs. Heavy machinery and gear pose potential threats. A crab fisherman is constantly at the mercy of the rough -- and potentially deadly -- seas.

The particular crew that Roger works with gathers from all over, including Arizona and even Bogotá, Columbia. The vessel they work on is one of only four crab boats that are "processing boats". Not only do they catch the crab, but they processes it right there on the boat. From the cage they cut, cook, freeze and package their crab so that upon returning to the docks--it's ready to ship to market! No small endeavor.

Average temperatures are 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and can quickly drop to 30 below. Ice is a constant battle and workers must remove it often. They start their scraping at the bow and work their way back. By the time they reach the stern, the bow has ice again!