Nick Mavar, renowned deckhand from the Discovery Channel’s reality fishing series “Deadliest Catch,” died on June 13, 2024, at the age of 59. Mavar suffered a heart attack while on a ladder at a boatyard in Naknek, Alaska, which led to a fall onto a dry dock. His wife, Julie, and the Bristol Bay Borough Police Department in Alaska, confirmed his death at a hospital in King Salmon, Alaska.
Mavar was a key figure on the “Northwestern” fishing boat, featuring in 98 episodes of “Deadliest Catch” as a deckhand. He also appeared in several spin-off series, such as “Deadliest Catch: Legends Born & Broken” and “Deadliest Catch: Evolution of Danger.”
Mavar’s time on the show concluded in 2020 after a ruptured appendix during filming led to the discovery of a cancerous tumor. This incident sparked a lawsuit against Sig Hansen, the boat’s owner, for not providing an appropriate medical plan during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The legal proceedings underscored a delay in Mavar’s medical examination and treatment, which his lawyers contended resulted in severe complications. The production company of “Deadliest Catch” was subsequently implicated for their part in the protocols that led to the delay in his treatment. Despite these hurdles, Mavar carried on with his love for fishing, eventually managing his own operation in Bristol Bay.
The news of Mavar’s death has prompted tributes on social media from fans and colleagues. Sig Hansen, captain of the Northwestern, mentioned that the news of Mavar’s passing “spread through the fishing community like wildfire” due to his widespread respect and recognition.
Mavar’s career had notable events, including an injury during a storm where a hook hit his face, breaking his nose. Like his medical emergency, this incident was also documented on the show.
Nick Mavar is survived by his wife, Julie, and his extended family. He will be remembered not only for his stint on “Deadliest Catch” but also for his perseverance and commitment to the fishing industry.