Nick Mavar, a well-known deckhand from Discovery Channel’s extreme fishing reality series “Deadliest Catch,” passed away on June 13, 2024 at 59.  The salmon fisherman experienced a heart attack while he was on a ladder at a boatyard in Naknek, Alaska, causing him to fall onto a dry dock. His wife, Julie, and the Bristol Bay Borough Police Department confirmed his passing at a hospital in King Salmon, Alaska.

Mavar appeared in 98 episodes of “Deadliest Catch” as a deckhand on the “Northwestern” fishing boat. He was also featured in several series spin-offs, including “Deadliest Catch: Legends Born & Broken” and “Deadliest Catch: Evolution of Danger.” 

His tenure on the show ended in 2020 after a burst appendix during filming revealed a cancerous tumor, leading to a lawsuit against the boat’s owner, Sig Hansen, for not having an adequate medical plan in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lawsuit highlighted a delay in Mavar’s medical examination and treatment, which his attorneys argued led to severe complications. The “Deadliest Catch” production company was later implicated for their role in the protocols that delayed his care. Despite these challenges, Mavar continued his passion for fishing, ultimately running his operation in Bristol Bay.

Fans and colleagues have taken to social media to express their condolences. Sig Hansen, captain of the Northwestern, said that news of Mavar’s death “spread through the fishing community like wildfire” due to his widespread respect and recognition.

Mavar’s career was marked by significant events, including an injury during a storm where a hook struck him in the face, breaking his nose. This incident, like his medical scare, was documented on the show.

Nick Mavar is survived by his wife, Julie, and other family members. He is remembered not only for his role on “Deadliest Catch” but also for his tenacity and dedication to the fishing industry.