Kodiak, Alaska – A former deckhand on the reality TV show “Deadliest Catch,” Nick Mavar, passed away at the age of 59 in Alaska. Mavar, originally from Croatia, worked on the F/V Northwestern and experienced a medical emergency in the town of Naknek, according to the Police Chief of the Bristol Bay Borough Police Department.
He was rushed to a hospital but unfortunately succumbed to natural causes. Mavar’s time on the popular Discovery Channel series, which depicted the harsh realities faced by commercial crab fishermen, spanned from 2005 to 2021. During this period, he appeared in 98 episodes, including spinoffs like “Deadliest Catch: Siberian Winter” and “Deadliest Catch: The Bait.”
In an unexpected turn of events, Mavar left the show after his appendix ruptured onboard during a voyage in December 2020. The incident, captured on the series, led to a legal battle where Mavar accused one of the boat owners, Sig Hansen, and his wife of negligence for the delayed medical attention he received during the pandemic.
Mavar’s lawsuit alleged that the lack of prompt medical care led to complications, including a ruptured appendix containing a cancerous tumor. His untimely passing adds to the list of tragedies that have struck the “Deadliest Catch” family, following the deaths of former co-stars Mahlon Reyes and Nick McGlashan in 2020.
The fishing community mourns the loss of Mavar, a dedicated fisherman who shared his experiences and challenges with viewers around the world through his appearances on the show. His legacy will live on in the memories of those who knew him and the fans who followed his journey on the high seas.