The Northwestern, a western rigged boat, was built in 1977 at Marco Shipyards in Seattle for the sole purpose of fishing King and Tanner Crab off of the coast of Alaska. It was christened Northwestern on November 5, 1977 by Snefrid Hansen, wife of then-captain Sverre Hansen and mother of the current owner/operators, Sig, Norman, and Edgar Hansen.
Sig Hansen in front of the F/V Northwestern
In the 1980s the ship was one of the first to fish Opilio crab. Throughout the ’80s the Northwestern kept very busy year round fishing Opilio crab, Blue King crab, Red King crab, and Brown King crab at different times of the year.
To keep up with the increasing demand for crab in the late ’80s and early ’90s, boats needed to carry more pots (steel box shaped traps that are used to fish crab). Rather than buying a new boat, the Hansen family decided to have the Northwestern extended twice. Originally built at 108 feet (32.9 m) with the ability to carry 156 pots, the Northwestern was extended to 118 feet (36.0 m) in 1987 to allow for 200 pots. In 1991, when the maximum crab pots a boat could carry was raised to 250, the Hansens again had the Northwestern lengthened, this time to 125 ft (38 m)
Current Crew of the Northwestern
Sig Hansen
Sig began fishing at age 14. Sig often left school early for the summer to fish salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska on a salmon gillnetter. Once salmon season ended he would join the Northwestern to fish Blue and Red king crab in Saint Matthews Island and Nome. Occasionally, Sig had the opportunity to fish Mackerel and Cod in Norway during the summer.
After Sig graduated from high school, he began fishing year-round, spending on average 10 months per year in Alaska. At 22, Sig began relieving captains on the Northwestern. This job is known as a “relief skipper.” As one of the youngest captains in the fleet he knew he had to either show results or get replaced. Sig opted for results. By 24, Sig began running the Northwester full time. Over the years, the Northwestern has been a top producer repeatedly under Sig’s guidance. Sig doesn’t consider this his greatest accomplishment though. The fact that there have not been any major accidents onboard the Northwestern is by far his greatest accomplishment according to Sig.
Edgar Hansen
Edgar is the youngest Hansen brother who began fishing at 18. Edgar came into his own on deck after only a few seasons. He is known as the “deck boss” on the Northwestern (an informal title given to the senior man on the fishing deck).
Edgar is one of the most talented men on deck according to Sig. When Edgar joined the Northwestern he took Sig’s position as cook. He does a terrific job of keeping the crew well fed under all conditions and is known for preparing gourmet meals in record time. Edgar has also become the chief engineer onboard during the past few years. He maintains all of the machinery onboard including the main and auxiliary engines, hydraulic systems, sea water pumps and fuel systems.
Norman Hansen
With a very similar upbringing, Norman Hansen is one year younger than Sig. He fished during the summers in Bristol Bay, Alaska on salmon gillnetters at age 15. Opilio crab fishing also filled his summer months. At 18, Norman began fishing full time until he turned 22. Norman decided to go to college to pursue his interests as an automotive mechanic. After college, Norman worked as a mechanic several years before returning to fishing in Alaska at age 35. Norman alternates as chief engineer onboard the Northwestern with his brother Edgar and also serves as a deckhand.
Matt Bradley
Matt was introduced to crab fishing by Edgar Hansen, his friend since junior high school. He has been fishing as a deck hand on the Northwestern for 15 years. Prior to fishing on the Northwestern, Matt worked as a restaurant manager and cook. This makes him well appreciated by any crew on the Bering Sea.
Matt is fun loving and outgoing. Over the years, he has fought a personal battle against substance abuse. Matt has made a real effort to open a new chapter in his life. He has even reached out to support others facing similar challenges. Matt lives his life according to an old time fishermen’s motto: Fish hard, die rich.
Nick Mavar Jr.
Nick comes from a family of Croatian fishermen. He got started in 1976, fishing for salmon in Bristol Bay with his father and brothers. When he was 18, Nick signed up for his first crab fishing season. The experience was so poor; it took him another 12 years until he was willing to try it again. Nick is a deckhand on the Northwestern. He has been fishing with Captain Sig and the crew for 6 years.
In the summer, Nick captains his family’s 32 foot gilnetter, the “Miss Colleen,” fishing for salmon in the Bristol Bay. Nick is one of the most level headed fishermen on the Bering Sea. He is cool under pressure and doesn’t lose his temper easily.
Jake Anderson
Twenty seven year old Jake Anderson grew up in the fishing town Anacortes, WA. Starting at 17, he spent 10 years salmon and cod fishing in Bristol Bay. Jake’s dream was to fish crab on the Northwestern. It’s extremely difficult to get a spot on a crab fishing boat, since crewmembers depend upon each other for their lives and livelihood. Fortunately for Jake, he knew the brother of Nick Mavar, a long time member of the Northwestern crew. With an introduction from Nick’s brother, Captain Sig and the Northwestern crew agreed to give him a shot as greenhorn.
Jake is an ambitious young man. He hopes to run his own business someday. For now, he is looking forward to becoming a full-share crew member on a crab boat. Jake enjoys skateboarding in his spare time.
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