Seattle photojournalist Karen Ducey| documentary, editorial, and multimedia photographer; commercial, advertising, maritime, reportage, and news pho

DOCUMENTARY: Bering Sea Crab

Heaving sledgehammers, two crew members begin a frigid January morning in 1995 by smashing a coat of frozen sea spray from the bow of the Polar Lady during opilio crab season in the Bering Sea. An iced-over boat can become dangerously top-heavy in rough seas and roll over. After four or so hours of sleep deckhands rise, beat ice off the boat with baseball bats and sledgehammers, and begin fishing. © Karen Ducey
Heaving sledgehammers, two crew members begin a frigid January morning in 1995 by smashing a coat of frozen sea spray from the bow of the Polar Lady during opilio crab season in the Bering Sea. An iced-over boat can become dangerously top-heavy in rough seas and roll over. After four or so hours of sleep deckhands rise, beat ice off the boat with baseball bats and sledgehammers, and begin fishing. © Karen Ducey