Nick Mavar, a seasoned fisherman and former deckhand on the popular reality TV series “Deadliest Catch,” passed away on Thursday in Alaska at the age of 59. Mavar, a Croatian native, was working on the F/V Northwestern when he experienced a medical emergency in the small town of Naknek. According to the Bristol Bay Borough Police Department, Mavar was rushed to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to natural causes.
Mavar’s career in the fishing industry was well-documented through his appearances on “Deadliest Catch.” From 2005 to 2021, he was featured in 98 episodes of the Discovery Channel series, which provides an unfiltered look at the harsh realities faced by commercial crab fishermen. Mavar’s work was also showcased in spinoff series such as “Deadliest Catch: Siberian Winter” and “Deadliest Catch: The Bait.”
In December 2020, Mavar’s time on the show came to an abrupt end when he suffered a ruptured appendix while onboard. This medical emergency, which was extensively covered on the series, led to a lawsuit against one of the boat owners, Sig Hansen, and his wife. Mavar alleged that he did not receive prompt medical treatment during the pandemic, which resulted in severe complications, including a cancerous tumor in his ruptured appendix.
Mavar’s death follows the loss of two other “Deadliest Catch” co-stars, Mahlon Reyes and Nick McGlashan, who both passed away in 2020. His passing marks another tragic event in the series’ history, which has often highlighted the dangers and challenges faced by those in the commercial fishing industry.