‘Deadliest Catch’ Captain Sig Hansen Reflects on Mortality Ahead of New Season

The fisherman, a a central figure in the show since its debut in 2005, added that his priority now is becoming a better father, grandfather, and husband.

Sig Hansen, Captain of the Northwestern crab-catcher vessel, a boat featured on the Discovery Channel show "Deadliest Catch", looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 24, 2007 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

“Deadliest Catch” captain Sig Hansen says years of health scares have given him a new perspective on both life and family.

The longtime skipper of the F/V Northwestern, who has spent decades navigating the harsh waters of the Bering Sea, recently admitted he no longer sees himself as invincible. At 59, Hansen said the challenges at sea have made him reflect more deeply on how he wants to spend his remaining years.

“Honestly, with family, it actually opened my eyes,” Hansen told Fox News. “I mean, I want to spend more time with them, and it’s like you do have more of an appreciation. … You do see things differently with age and all that.”

The Norwegian-American fisherman added that his priority now is becoming a better father, grandfather, and husband.

Hansen’s reflections follow the premiere of the 21st season of “Deadliest Catch” earlier this month. The reality series’ new season highlights a “gold rush-style race” after crews encounter monster red king crab in the far west of the Bering Sea. To reach the abandoned Adak Island, waters not fished in more than 30 years, crews must endure dangerous 50-foot swells and unpredictable weather.

“Navigating through unfamiliar territory to secure the lucrative haul, the crews face extreme conditions and major ship malfunctions that put them in serious life-threatening situations, leaving the fleet at the mercy of the tumultuous western Bering Sea,” a description of the season read.

Sig Hansen visits SiriusXM Studio in New York City on March 29, 2016. Robin Marchant/Getty Images

In the preview video, Hansen warned that the farther crews venture, the harsher and more isolating the conditions become.

“The farther west you go, it will just eat you alive,” Hansen said. “You’ve got heavy tides, winds, all in the birthplace of storms.”

“No help, no support, you’re on your own,” he added.

Hansen has been a central figure in “Deadliest Catch” since its debut on the Discovery Channel in 2005, earning recognition for his steady leadership and perseverance in one of the world’s most dangerous professions.

The seasoned fisherman’s life at sea is deeply rooted in his family history. Born in Seattle to Norwegian parents, he began fishing as a teenager and took command of the Northwestern in his early 20s. Under his leadership, the vessel became one of the fleet’s most successful and safest boats, a record that helped cement his reputation on “Deadliest Catch.”

Off the water, Hansen lives in Seattle with his wife, June. They share two adopted daughters and several grandchildren. His youngest daughter, Mandy, has made several appearances on “Deadliest Catch” as the relief captain.