Naknek, Alaska – The fishing industry mourns the loss of Nick Mavar, a renowned fisherman and former deckhand on the popular reality TV series “Deadliest Catch”. Mavar, 59, suffered a medical emergency while working on the F/V Northwestern in Naknek, Alaska. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he succumbed to natural causes, according to the Bristol Bay Borough Police Department.
Mavar’s extensive career in the fishing industry was widely recognized through his appearances on “Deadliest Catch”. Over a span of 16 years, from 2005 to 2021, he appeared in 98 episodes of the Discovery Channel series. The show offers viewers an unfiltered glimpse into the demanding realities faced by commercial crab fishermen. Mavar’s work was also featured in spinoff series like “Deadliest Catch: Siberian Winter” and “Deadliest Catch: The Bait”.
The abrupt end to Mavar’s tenure on the show came in December 2020 when he suffered a ruptured appendix while on board. This medical emergency was extensively covered on the series, leading to a lawsuit against Sig Hansen, one of the boat owners, and his wife. Mavar alleged inadequate medical treatment during the pandemic, resulting in severe complications, including a cancerous tumor in his ruptured appendix.
Mavar’s passing adds to the series’ history of tragic events, following the loss of two other “Deadliest Catch” co-stars, Mahlon Reyes and Nick McGlashan, in 2020. The show has consistently shed light on the dangers and challenges faced by individuals in the commercial fishing industry.
The fishing community and fans of “Deadliest Catch” are left with heavy hearts as they remember the legacy of Nick Mavar. His contribution to the industry, both on and off the screen, will not be forgotten.