Ep 4. Breaking Point

As currents change and weather worsens, crews on the Bering Sea must stay vigilant in order to stay alive and keep the catch coming in. In this episode, entitled "Breaking Point," the pressure begins to mount as the crews begin to feel the effects of extended time at sea and a poor season for crab. Some of the captains begin to second guess their strategies and push their crews to their limits in the hunt for crab.

On the Time Bandit, tensions rise as captain Johnathan Hillstrand struggles to find his footing in a time of adversity. His bid for a new fishing spot lands the crew deep in uncharted waters and they have to make do with what they have. Meanwhile, the harsh conditions and long hours are taking their toll on the crew, and a heated altercation breaks out between two deckhands. The constant pressure to perform is beginning to wear them down as they reach their breaking point.

The Cornelia Marie is experiencing similar difficulties as they struggle to get their engines running and keep their pots full. Captain Phil Harris is pushing his crew to the brink with a relentless schedule and minimal rest. Deck boss Murray gets anxious as Phil starts to push himself beyond his limits. As the crew grapples to get the boat back in working order, they face a life-threatening situation when a crew member falls overboard.

Over on the Wizard, Captain Keith Colburn is feeling the pressure of keeping a profitable catch coming in. He puts his crew through grueling 40-hour shifts with no break, leading to blistered hands and sheer exhaustion. With the boat on the brink of breaking down, Keith's decisions begin to weigh heavily on him as he tries to keep the boat running and his crew safe.

The Northwestern is also feeling the effects of a poor season. Captain Sig Hansen is trying to push past a mid-season slump and keep his crew motivated, but morale is low as they struggle to fill their quotas. As time ticks away and the crew gets more tired and more anxious, Sig looks to his brother Edgar for guidance on their next move.

As the episode comes to a close, the crews of all the boats find themselves at the breaking point. The constant grind and uncertainty of the job begins to take its toll on the captains and crews alike. Will they be able to push through the obstacles and come out on top, or will they be forced to face the harsh reality of the ocean's power? Only time will tell as the season continues on Deadliest Catch.