Deadliest Catch Star Captain Keith Colburn Faces Life-Threatening Cardiac Emergency at Sea

In a dramatic and intense episode of the reality TV show Deadliest Catch, Captain Keith Colburn faced a life-threatening cardiac emergency while at sea. The incident occurred during Season 20, Episode 16, titled My Brothers Keeper .

The medical scare happened after a heated argument between Captain Keith Colburn and his brother, Monte Colburn, who serves as the co-captain of the F/V Wizard. The argument was over a navigational decision made by Monte to sail west of St. Paul, which resulted in empty crab pots and a significant loss of $30,000 in fuel.

During the argument, Keith suddenly collapsed in the wheelhouse and became unresponsive. Monte immediately took charge to ensure Keith received the urgent medical help he needed. Monte navigated the Wizard to the nearest airstrip for a medevac, a challenging task given the treacherous port entry at Saint Paul and the difficult weather conditions.

High Stakes and Remote Location

The situation was further complicated by the remote location of the vessel, hundreds of miles from any major medical facility. In such areas of the Bering Sea, crew members often serve as the first responders, making the emergency even more daunting.

Previous Health Issues

Captain Keith Colburn has a history of health challenges. In previous seasons, he dealt with an umbilical hernia that caused severe pain and forced him to lie on the deck for relief. Additionally, in 2018, he faced osteomyelitis, a serious bacterial infection in his spine, which nearly cost him an entire crabbing season.

Despite his past health issues and the recent cardiac incident, recent updates indicate that Keith is doing well and has recovered. His dedication to the safety of his crew and the success of the Wizard remains unwavering.

Continuation of the Drama

The intense episode left fans on edge, with the conclusion set to unfold in subsequent episodes. The milestone 20th season of Deadliest Catch continues to highlight the harsh realities and high stakes of crabbing on the Bering Sea.

Deadliest Catch airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on the Discovery Channel.