Ep 7. What Would Phil Harris Do?

In this episode of Deadliest Catch season 17, titled "What Would Phil Harris Do?," the captains and crews continue their quest to catch King crab in the treacherous waters off the coast of Alaska. The late Phil Harris, a beloved captain from previous seasons who tragically passed away in 2010, makes an appearance through flashback footage as the current captains reflect on how he would handle the challenges they're facing.

Captain Keith Colburn of the Wizard struggles to fish in a tried and true spot due to a sudden influx of offload barges blocking his path. As he navigates his boat around them, he faces another obstacle as a crew member falls dangerously close to the pot launcher.

On the F/V Summer Bay, Captain Wild Bill Wichrowski takes a chance on a risky new fishing spot and finds success, pulling in a large haul of crab. However, his victory is short-lived as mechanical issues threaten to shut down his operations.

Meanwhile, the Cornelia Marie battles not only the harsh weather conditions but also a potentially dangerous situation when a team member becomes trapped beneath the sorting table. Captain Josh Harris must act quickly to free his crew member and keep everyone safe.

As always, the crew members face not only physical challenges but also mental and emotional ones. On the Saga, Captain Jake Anderson struggles with being away from his family as he tries to focus on fishing, while on the Northwestern, Captain Sig Hansen grapples with the decision to continue fishing or to stay in port to care for his ailing father.

Throughout the episode, the captains and crew members look to Phil Harris for guidance and inspiration as they face the difficult and often life-threatening conditions of crab fishing in the Bering Sea.

Tensions run high as the crews race against time to catch as much crab as possible before the season ends, and viewers are left on the edge of their seats wondering if the captains and their crews will make it through the challenges and come out successful.