A Hallman Experience - The Deadliest Catch
- Paul Hallman
- May 9
- 5 min read
Onward we sailed from Sitka, Alaska to Ketchikan where we had a Hallman Experience. Typically our experiences don't turn out too well and our good friends know exactly what we mean when we say we had a Hallman Experience, but not everything needs to be an embarrassing moment.
So what is the definition of an Experience ?
Experience is the knowledge, skill, or understanding gained through direct observation, participation, or living through events. It refers to both the active process of encountering something and the practical wisdom acquired over time. Experience encompasses conscious events, feelings, and personal, professional, or historical occurrences.
Today we met that definition and had a great experience in Ketchikan. We took an excursion called The Deadliest Catch. This blog is all about the history of a famous boat and its life at sea including the time on the Discovery Chanel TV show of the same name. Jan and I decided to take the excursion and experience what happens when you go Deep Sea Crabbing. I have added lots of detail about the tour as well as a history of the boat because it is something not many people get to experience and live to tell the tale. I encourage you to watch the videos and read the details - This was our Hallman Experience in Ketchikan.
Our Tour Begins !
When our ship arrived at the dock we could see the Aleutian Ballad from our room as it was berthed below our balcony. The crew had a Bon Jovi song, blasting over the speakers as the crew readied their ship. At first we didn't realize that this was our excursion ship but we admired the energy it exuded. When we disembarked from the Coral Princess the crew greeted us on the dock and welcomed us aboard the Aleutian Ballad — we had been docked just a few minutes’ walk away.
The ship featured both an amphitheater-style sheltered lower deck and a panoramic open-air upper deck. Once everyone was aboard, we cut loose and headed out to pristine Alaskan fishing waters for about three hours.
We got to know the boat and her colorful history as a working crab fishing boat in the notorious Bering Sea and we had an exclusive look into the world of crab fishing and meet the crew — some from the Discovery Chanel show The Deadliest Catch.
We boated close to islands and land where Alaskan wildlife such as bears, deer, bald eagles. Seals live! We were very lucky to see so many Eagles and watch them play and perform for the passengers. Watch this video taken in slow motion - if you pause the play, you will get good images of the Eagles, excellent opportunity to get a better photo.
As the crew pulled up on the first set of fishing gear, we were right alongside watching as they hauled up the catch. They displayed how to catch with live bait and also how to crab fish with nets and cages.
Putting a Red King Crab Cage back into the water
It was at the protected waters of Annette Island, where we came close to shore and saw the eagles nests and experienced as many as 50 eagles flying around the ship feeding on the bait that was tossed overboard.
Later we even pulled up an octopus pot!
We were fortunate to have the opportunity to move around the boat as they demonstrated how to be crabbers and during our exploration of the ship we took many photos of what we managed to catch.
That was the activity on board but now here are details on the boat itself and the history is carried in its hull.
About the Aleutian Ballad
A Workhorse of the Bering Sea - 1970 to 1990
For more than 25 years, the Aleutian Ballad fished the unforgiving waters of the Bering Sea. She hauled thousands of pounds of crab through freezing winds, towering waves, and months at sea — earning a reputation as a hardworking, dependable boat in one of the world’s most dangerous fisheries.
“Black Sunday” - 1991
A storm unlike any other tore across the Bering Sea with winds over 170 mph and waves reaching sixty feet. The Aleutian Ballad was struck broadside, rolled onto her side, and her crew abandoned ship into the icy water. Miraculously, every man survived. Days later, the Coast Guard reported the vessel still afloat — battered but alive. When she was finally righted and sailed back to port, she became known as “the boat that refused to sink.”
A New Owner, A New Chapter - Mid 1990's
After the storm, Captain Vance Jones sold the Ballad. Fisherman David Lethin bought the wreck, repaired her, and sent her back to work. With veteran Captain Murray Gamrath at the helm, the Ballad returned to sea — but fate had more tests ahead.
Collision on the Cliffs - Late 1990's
One dark night, the Aleutian Ballad ran full speed into a 500-foot cliff. The hull was torn open from bow to stern. Even so, she didn’t sink. When surveyors from Lloyd’s of London inspected the damage, they said they had never seen a boat so destroyed that still managed to stay afloat. The bottom was replaced entirely, and she sailed again — stronger than before.
Fame on The Deadliest Catch - 2006
When Discovery Channel launched a new show about Alaskan crab fishing, they filmed aboard the Aleutian Ballad. During shooting, a massive rogue wave slammed into her side and rolled her over — caught on camera for the first time in television history. The footage became one of the most famous scenes in The Deadliest Catch, and the Ballad’s legend reached viewers around the world. Be sure to log into Season 2 Episode 2 to watch this ship on the show.
A New Life in Ketchikan - 2007
Instead of returning to crab fishing, Dave Lethin transformed the Aleutian Ballad into something new: the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour. The first excursion launched from Ketchikan on July 25, 2007, with only five guests aboard. One woman told the crew afterward, “This is the best thing I’ve ever done.” From that moment, the Ballad’s purpose was clear — to share the real life of Alaskan fishermen with the world.
The Luckiest Boat in the Ocean - Today
The Aleutian Ballad has survived capsizing, collisions, sharks, lawsuits, and storms that would have ended most ships. What some call bad luck, her crew knows as proof of strength. After everything she’s endured, she isn’t unlucky — she’s the luckiest boat in the ocean.
Following our Crab Fishing excursion Jan and I walked into Ketchikan, had some lunch and walked the town before returning to our ship for the trip south to Victoria British Columbia where we get to place our feet on Canadian soil for the first time in over 100 days.
It was a fabulous Hallman Experience and something we will always remember. we bought a book about the boat and had the entire staff autograph it - What a memory
After the excursion we walked the town, grabbed some lunch and then returned to the ship for our sail away. Ketchikan is a very interesting town and even through we were here nine months ago it was good to return.
It was a smooth sail away - with memories etched in our minds.
Comments