Jake Anderson and the Cornelia Marie: Current Status
Jake Anderson is a commercial fisherman and television personality known for his role on the Discovery Channel series Deadliest Catch. He is currently the captain of the F/V Cornelia Marie, a crab fishing vessel based in the Bering Sea. The boat operates primarily in the Alaskan king crab and opilio crab fisheries during the winter seasons. Anderson took over leadership of the vessel after the passing of its former owner, Phil Harris. As of the latest seasons, he continues to manage the boat's operations and crew assignments. The Cornelia Marie remains a recognized name in the commercial fishing fleet documented on the show. More background on the vessel's history is available on the Deadliest Catch official page here.
The Cornelia Marie is a 125-foot crab fishing vessel built in the 1970s and later refitted for modern commercial operations. The boat is equipped with hydraulic crabbing systems, multiple holds for live storage, and advanced navigation electronics required for Bering Sea fishing. Its home port is Dutch Harbor, Alaska, a major hub for the North Pacific crab fleet. The vessel participates in the annual opilio crab and king crab seasons regulated by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Jake Anderson oversees the deck crew, safety protocols, and quota management for each season. The boat's specifications and role within the fleet are detailed in coverage by industry sources here.
Jake Anderson's Career and Business Profile
Jake Anderson began fishing commercially as a greenhorn and progressed through the ranks to become a boat captain. He joined the crew of the Cornelia Marie during the early seasons of Deadliest Catch, which first aired in 2005. His career trajectory includes time as a deck boss and later as the primary captain of the vessel. Anderson's earnings come from his captain's share of the crab catch, television appearances, and related business ventures. The captain's share fluctuates based on crab prices, season length, and quota allocations set by regulators. His professional timeline and role are documented in interviews and business profiles here.
The financial structure of a Bering Sea crab fishing operation like the Cornelia Marie involves fuel costs, crew wages, gear maintenance, and quota purchase expenses. The boat's revenue depends on the ex-vessel price of crab, which is set by buyers and can vary season to season. Jake Anderson manages the budget and profit distribution among the crew and owners. Operating costs for a vessel of this size can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars per season. The economics of small-scale commercial fishing are further explained by industry analysis here.
Ownership, Fleet, and Regulatory Context
Ownership and Fleet Operations
The Cornelia Marie has changed hands over the years, and current ownership details are tied to the Anderson family's operating interests. Jake Anderson is listed as the captain and primary operator, while broader ownership may include family members and business partners. The vessel is part of a small fleet of crab boats that fish under federal and state permits in the Bering Sea. Permits are managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The boat must comply with bycatch limits, seasonal openings, and vessel safety inspections. Fleet operations and permit data are tracked in federal fisheries databases.