Ep 2. Batten Down the Hatches

In Deadliest Catch season 2 episode 2, entitled "Batten Down the Hatches," viewers are taken on board several different crab fishing vessels as they navigate the treacherous waters of the Bering Sea.

The episode kicks off with the crew of the Northwestern battling rough seas and high winds as they try to haul in their first crab pots of the season. The boat's captain, Sig Hansen, is feeling the pressure to deliver a good catch and secure his position as one of the top crab fishermen in the fleet. But with the weather against them and mechanical issues plaguing the boat, the crew's morale is beginning to suffer.

Meanwhile, on the Time Bandit, Captain Andy Hillstrand and his crew are also struggling to make progress in the choppy conditions. To keep morale high, they engage in some friendly competition with their sister ship, the Lady Alaska. The two boats race to see who can fill their crab tanks first, with the losing boat owing the winners a case of beer.

Over on the Cornelia Marie, Captain Phil Harris is dealing with some family drama. His son, Josh, has joined the crew as a greenhorn, but Phil worries that he is not tough enough to handle the harsh working conditions. To toughen him up, Phil assigns Josh to the most physically demanding tasks on the boat, including hauling heavy crab pots and sorting through the catch to find any keepers.

Throughout the episode, all of the boats face major challenges and setbacks. The Northwestern's engine breaks down, the Time Bandit's crew has a scare when a crab pot nearly decapitates one of their deckhands, and the Cornelia Marie's crew members are pushed to their limits as they work long hours in dangerous conditions.

Despite the risks and obstacles, the crews are united in their determination to get the job done and bring in a good catch. As one captain puts it, "In this line of work, you never know what you're going to get. But you just keep pushing through, and hope that the next pot is a little bit fuller than the last."

In the end, viewers are left on the edge of their seats as the crews battle the elements and each other in the pursuit of a lucrative crab haul. Will they be able to overcome the challenges in front of them, or will the sea claim yet another victim? Tune in to Deadliest Catch season 2 episode 2 to find out.