F/V Wizard

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Captain Keith
In the winter of 1985, Keith, a Lake Tahoe ski bum was looking for a change and at 22 years of age jumped on a plane with his lifelong best friend Kurt Frankenberg. Together they landed in Kodiak, Alaska with no experience, a tent and $50 dollars. With only the romantic vision of working at sea and the rumor of big pay-days, Keith was determined to try something new and exciting. He started as a true greenhorn on the Alaska Trader, a 135 foot crabber/tender.

The hook was set instantly. The fishing lifestyle and camaraderie of being part of a crew working in and against the elements captured him immediately. While initially looking only for adventure in Alaska’s unknown waters, Keith found plenty of that, but also something unexpected. A career. In 1988, he became a full share deck hand on the Wizard. He earned his USCG 1600 ton Mates license in 1990 and moved from the deck to the pilot house. In 1992, he received his 1600 ton Masters (Captain) license and has remained there as the skipper.

In 2002 Keith purchased the 100’ crabber F/V Sirene (pronounced Sea-Wren), but continued to operate the Wizard. In 2004, he sold the fishing rights for the Sirene in the Federal Buy Back, a fleet reduction program. When the fleet down sized in 2005 from 250 crabbers to 80 under a new Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) system, Keith purchased the Wizard, but without its valuable IFQs.

Today, Keith continues as the Captain and now owner of the Bering Sea’s premier crab vessel the F/V Wizard which is featured on this year’s season of Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Channel.