‘Deadliest Catch’ filming plans revealed after Todd Meadows died in ‘treacherous’ conditions at sea
Filming plans for Season 22 of Discovery Channel’s reality series “Deadliest Catch” have been revealed after Todd Meadows died in “treacherous” conditions at sea.
A network source told Page Six on Tuesday that they were at the end of the production cycle when Meadows fell overboard into the Bering Sea and died on Feb. 25, noting that the Aleutian Lady was the last of the Season 22 fishing vessels still at sea.
The source said filming for the season is now complete; however, it’s unclear what will end up airing.
“We are just touching home for 2-3 days, then heading back to Dutch [Harbor in Alaska] to finish the season,” Aleutian Lady deckhand Trey John Green III added, telling us that “Discovery was filming” when the incident occurred.
During our brief exchange, Green described Meadows, 25, as a “rock star” and said the crew’s fishing expedition was “a great story” that “unfortunately ended in tragedy.”
“We all did everything we could to save him, and out at sea, that’s no easy task,” he lamented.
Notably, the Bering Sea is known for its shallow depth, volatile weather and extremely cold sea temperatures, making it one of the most dangerous bodies of water in the world.
Earlier on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the US Coast Guard told Page Six that on Feb. 25 just after 5 p.m. local time, watch standers at the Arctic District command center in Juneau, Alaska, were notified that Meadows had fallen overboard approximately 170 miles north of Dutch Harbor.
We were told that he was recovered from the water by crew members about 10 minutes later.
They administered first aid on the unresponsive rookie deckhand and attempted to resuscitate him, but they were unsuccessful.
The crew then transported Meadows’ body to Dutch Harbor.
ADThe USCG spokesperson added that the organization is currently investigating the situation, as it does with all marine casualties and accidents, to uncover their causes and initiate necessary corrective actions.
Captain Rick Shelford announced Meadows’ death in a heartbreaking Facebook post over the weekend, describing it as “the most tragic day in the history of the Aleutian Lady on the Bering Sea.”
Shelford referred to Meadows, who was “the newest member of [their] crew,” as a “brother.”
“His love for fishing and his strong work ethic earned everyone’s respect right away. His smile was contagious, and the sound of his laughter coming up the wheelhouse stairs or over the deck hailer is something we will carry with us always,” Shelford shared.
“Todd’s love for his children, his family and his life was evident in everything he did. He worked hard, loved deeply and brought joy to those around him.”
Shelford confessed that his heart is “broken in a way that words can’t fully express” before asking everyone to “lift Todd’s children and family in prayer and keep them in your thoughts as they face the days ahead without him.”
He concluded, “Todd will forever be part of this boat, this crew and this brotherhood. Though we lost him far too soon, his legacy will live on through his children and in every memory we carry of him. Rest easy brother, till we meet again.”
Meadows’ grandmother Ila Meadows reposted Shelford’s “genuine tribute” to her late grandson and thanked him for the “heartfelt, sentimental message.”
She also “liked” a comment asking whether Todd had fallen overboard and another one describing the waters as “treacherous.”
After news broke, Discovery Channel said in a statement, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Todd Meadows. This is a devastating loss, and our hearts are with his loved ones, his crewmates and the entire fishing community during this incredibly difficult time.”
One of Todd’s loved ones subsequently launched a GoFundMe page to ask for donations to “help support his three boys, assist with funeral expenses and help ease the financial burden in the months ahead.”
