Ep 1. Dawn of the Dredge

In the first episode of Bering Sea Gold season 12 titled "Dawn of the Dredge," the crews of various gold mining boats are back in Nome, Alaska, ready to scour the waters of the Bering Sea in search of gold. The season begins with high stakes and several new faces as the miners hope to strike gold in a major way.

The first crew we meet is Shawn Pomrenke and his team of divers. Shawn is determined to find enough gold to keep the Myrtle Irene afloat, an expensive and risky proposition. The Myrtle Irene has been in dry dock for the past year and requires a massive investment if it is to get back in the water. He's made an ambitious bet, with high stakes for success or going bust. This crew is full of seasoned veterans, and they have the knowledge and experience to find gold. What they need now is a break, and they hope to get it this season.

Then, we meet the Kim family, who has returned to Nome after two years of absence. Zeke was once the king of Nome, but he lost everything and is now back with his family. While his brother, John, is out on his boat trying to find enough gold to secure their future once again, Zeke has a new plan: use modern technology to mine gold on previously untouched land. He has a drone that can map the area and help his team of miners get to significant resources that have eluded him in the past. This idea is groundbreaking, and if successful, the Kims will be back on top in Nome.

The next boat in the season premiere is Wendy's Minin' Maniacs, led by Wendy and her husband Scott. After a successful mining season last year, they hope to strike even bigger this time. The Minin' Maniacs are based on a smaller boat, but they have a very effective dredge system. Their only weakness is their crew's size. They have five men and women on board, so they have to work harder with fewer people. But Wendy knows her team, and together they're ready to face whatever the Bering Sea throws their way.

Later on, we meet Vernon, also known as "The Barge Captain." Vernon is known in Nome for his ability to work miracles on a barge. He leads his team of miners to work on land where most other dredges can't operate. His boat is the Wild Ranger, and he's been a part of the Bering Sea scene for over two decades. But this season, he has a problem: his crew is brand new, and he's never worked with them before. With everything on the line, he needs to get the young team on point so they can capitalize on every opportunity.

The season premiere of Bering Sea Gold 12 sets the stage for another high-stakes season in Nome, Alaska. With plenty of new technology and fresh faces, all the boats are looking to strike gold and leave the competition behind. In the harsh conditions of the Bering Sea, there will be plenty of obstacles to overcome, and every decision they make could be a make-or-break one. The teams will have to use all their experience and expertise to find gold and stay afloat – either they'll go big or go home.