“10 down 10 to go...” groaned Matt as both we threw a crab pot overboard. “God, how heavy are these things, and these waves don't help anyone.” As tiring as it was to listen to, he had a point. The Bering Sea was quite turbulent, and being wet in 30 degree weather isn't the most pleasant thing. We had already been out at sea for 5 days and I was already exhausted, as the short fishing season has us working with very little rest. “Ugh, why do we have to use dead fish as bait, this stuff is nasty.” Steve said as he and Chris put bait into the crab pot. “I mean seriously, this stuff is so nasty,” he said as a particularly violent wave smashed into the boat.“Try to finish up quick boys, I'm not liking the weather today” came captain Carl's voice over the loud-speaker. “Yeah, like we can go any fast-” Steve began to say, but he was interrupted but a massive wave which sent him overboard into the cold ocean.
“ Oh my God, hey grab the life preserver!” Chris yelled to me. If drowning didn't kill Steve, the below freezing water would. “Hang on, man we're gonna get you!” Matt yelled to Steve. I grabbed the flotation ring off the small rack by the door and ran back over to the side of the boat nearly falling on the wet deck's surface. I hurled the ring at Steve, who was now flailing desperately in the icy water. He managed to spot the nearby ring in the water and struggled over to it. As he grabbed onto it Chris yelled “Alright, don't let go we're gonna drag you in!” “Ready, Pull!” he yelled to the rest of us. We all yanked at once and seemingly the ocean seemed to pull on Steve, trying to bring him below the water. Before long we managed to bring him over to the side of the boat.”Alright, when I say go pull him up. Ready, go!” Chris yelled over the crash of the sea, and at once we all yanked upwards and slowly reeled Steve back into the boat. He reached over the wall and rolled onto the deck shivering and coughing. “You alright?” Chris asked him. “ Yeah, but can you tell Carl I might turn in a little early today?” “Yeah I don't think he'll mind,” Matt said with a smile.
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