Jacob Hutchins first appeared on “Deadliest Catch” in Seasons 14 and 15 as a deckhand on Jake Anderson’s boat, the F/V Saga. He returned to the series in Season 19 aboard the F/V Wizard, captained by Keith Colburn. The two butt heads, and in Episode 2, they get into multiple screaming matches. Colburn thinks Hutchins is disrespectful, and that he caused a crab pot to snap. Hutchins, meanwhile, thinks that Colburn is unfairly blaming him. The captain ultimately terminates Hutchins.

Later in Season 19, Hutchins joins the crew of the F/V Aleutian Lady. He and Captain Rick Shelford have a much better rapport, as seen in their shared musical moment, but Hutchins is still beset by difficulties. In Episode 20, he learns that his mentor, Frances Miller, experienced a near-fatal fall. Hutchins is devastated to be out at sea, demonstrating the emotional stress of working such a physically isolating job. Shelford is incredibly empathetic to the situation, even leading the deckhand in a moment of prayer.

Shelford seems an ideal mentor to help Hutchins in his quest to one day captain his own ship. “I know that this industry is changing, and I’m not exactly sure about what’s going to happen but while the getting is good, I’m gonna try to be a captain,” he said in an interview with The Seattle Times. “I think I can bring an interesting and intellectual and spiritual flair to this coveted position. I think I have something to add, so I would like to add my flavor to this recipe.”

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