The Deadliest Catch crew are once again fighting the perils of the freezing ocean. In the latest episode of season 20, we see deckhand Nico Huerta endure a tense injury.

Since 2005 we have joined the crew of Deadliest Catch on the Bering Sea for 20 seasons. Though some viewers have accused the producers of adding fake scenes for clout, fans stay loyal to the crabbing-crew. The reality is that the ocean and crabbing trade is perilous work, and these crabbers risk their lives daily for their living. Crew have threats from every angle, from slipping into freezing waters, to dehydration so bad their body shuts down. The latest episode to drop on Discovery has shown us once again the sea is not something to be messed with!

‘Well Nico might be f***ed up!’

In the preview for episode nine, we see crew member Nico Huerta writhing in pain below deck. His fellow crew members are trying to support him and find out which parts of his body are hurting after he was apparently “taken out by a wall of wave.”

When asked if he is OK, Nico responds, “No, I’m not dude. I rolled my ankle hella hard, dude.” While a rolled ankle may not be the most shocking injury what he says next reminds us how any injury on-board can have serious consequences.

“I thought I was going to go over the f***ing rail.”

Nico explains how he acquired the injury by telling a fellow shipmate, “I tried to catch my footing when the wave hit me and I just rolled, you know.”

This injury caused tension on board, as other cast members are angry that they were not fore-warned about the upcoming wave. Two of the crew engage in a heated argument about why there wasn’t a louder, more obvious warning that could have prevented disaster.

The most dangerous rescues of Deadliest Catch

While Nico Huerta thankfully didn’t actually go over the railings when he rolled his ankle, frequently crew members do go overboard. Working on freezing waters, crew don’t have long to perform rescues before deadly hypothermia can set in. Here’s a round-up of the most dangerous, luckiest, saves.

In season 8, episode 9 we see deckhand Travis Laughlin fall over board into the freezing water. It is pitch black, and the ice and snow on the deck of the ship remind viewers just how cold this water must be. His fellow crew members rush frantically to find a way to rescue him, donning warm protective gear. Using a sling, they lift him out of the water after an unbearable three minutes in the 28 degree sea!

Season 9, Episode 15 has another potential fatality after the crew see a dead walrus floating on the waves. The crew are failing to rope the walrus in when Freddy Maugatai jumps into the icy waters shirtless! “That guys a f***ing maniac!” One crew member exclaims. Freddy jumps aboard the walrus, literally straddling it, all in order to assist wrapping the ropes around while his team frantically try and get him out!

Another life is saved in episode 3 of season 5 when the cast come across another ship that is “rolling so hard” the deckhand keeps getting dipped into the waters before he slips off and into the deep blue. The ship The Time Bandit was his only hope for survival as they rush to get to him in time. Very lucky!

Under the light of the supermoon in season 14, episode 15 a deckhand Spencer Moore is trying to rope in a catch when he is pulled overboard into the 34 degree sea. The crew rush to get Spencer in a life ring before he gets swept away as the “tides are ripping”.

Spencer explains that he “was trying to get the bag in the block,” when disaster occurred. “I held on and it ripped me over way faster than I could let go.”