Captain Sig Hansen and his daughter Mandy are making a return to their Norwegian roots in the spinoff series ‘Deadliest Catch: The Viking Returns.’ Mandy, inspired by her father’s fishing legacy, was determined to carve her path in the industry from a young age. At just 18, she became one of the youngest women to brave the winter months fishing in the challenging Bering Sea.
Now, the father-daughter duo is venturing to Norway for “Deadliest Catch: The Viking Returns,” a spinoff of Discovery’s renowned show that focuses on Bering Sea fishermen during the Alaskan king and snow crab seasons.
“Fishing is deeply embedded in my heritage and culture,” Mandy shared with People magazine. She expressed her unwavering determination to pursue fishing despite her father’s initial reservations, asserting, “I was determined not to let anything, not even my dad, stand in my way.”
The 27-year-old emphasized the unique opportunity to work alongside her father, a privilege not afforded to many. She acknowledged, “I am fortunate to spend time learning from one of the industry’s best.” The Hansen family lineage boasts generations of Norwegian fishermen, yet Sig Hansen initially hesitated to have his daughter follow in their footsteps due to the perilous nature of the job.
“I was against having her on the boat,” admitted the 56-year-old captain, citing the considerable risks and numerous losses he had witnessed among his peers. Despite Mandy’s recent journey into motherhood, welcoming daughter Sailor Marie last November with her husband, Clark Pederson, she remained resolute in pursuing her passion within the predominantly male-dominated fishing realm.
“I am still out there,” Mandy asserted. “I may not be on land, but I am at home in my element. I strive to be the hardest-working person in any given situation. That’s the best I can offer.” She looks forward to the day when she can introduce her daughter to the fishing world, although she aims for a safer environment than the challenging Bering Sea.
Reflecting on family heritage and aspirations, Hansen previously expressed a desire for a sustainable legacy within the industry to pass on to future generations, including his grandson. He emphasized the importance of a strong work ethic as the cornerstone of success, advocating, “Hard work is the key to winning. It’s that simple.”