What Is Deadliest Catch's Sean Dwyer Up To Today?
In 2015, fans of Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" were introduced to a new crab captain, one with quite the touching backstory. At the time of his television debut, Sean Dwyer was 23 years old, making him the youngest to helm a boat in the tumultuous Bering Sea. Despite his age, Dwyer already had a decade of experience on the water, thanks to his father, Pat Ford Dwyer. After the latter's ALS diagnosis in 2005, he made sure to teach his son all he could about the fishing business.
"He didn't stop until the last minute," said Dwyer, who fondly reflected on his dad yelling instructions through a BiPAP mask if something wasn't being done to his standards. Ever since Dwyer stepped up to captain the Brenna A, he's had a key goal in mind — to uphold the legacy of his father, who passed away in 2013. "If I can be half as good, I think I'll be pretty good," Dwyer said.
For several years, the Brenna A captain remained a fan favorite of "Deadliest Catch" thanks to his humbleness and maturity. From rough seas to on-deck drama, the series shows him handling it all. A particularly unforgettable Dwyer moment is when he addresses the boat's crew after he learns they're bullying another deckhand. He calmly tells them, "If you guys don't see the big picture and why everyone's here, then that's an insult to me, and I don't like it." He adds, "Know your role. Shut your hole. Bottom line." Even when a pot worth $2,000 is dropped to the bottom of the Bering Sea, Dwyer maintains composure.
However, it was announced in 2020 that he wouldn't be returning to "Deadliest Catch." Let's take a look at what the Brenna A captain has been up to since.
Sean Dwyer has returned to Deadliest Catch and is upholding his late father's legacy
"Deadliest Catch" viewers were saddened in 2020 when it was announced that Sean Dwyer and Brenna A wouldn't be appearing on the new season. A post on the boat's official Facebook page said, "There is no drama related to our exit, which is kind of the way life on the Brenna A was and is. It was simply that our contract was up with Discovery and we went a different way."
Following his departure, Dwyer never stopped his difficult work on the Bering Sea. "I feel it's my responsibility to do all I can to ensure that we have a sustainable harvest for years to come," he said in a documentary by Huckberry.
However, it seems a new contract was signed with Discovery because he can be seen on "Deadliest Catch" Season 18. On an Instagram post sharing the news, fans flooded Dwyer with messages of how much they missed him.
Outside of work, Dwyer is enjoying life as a father. On August 28, 2021, he and his wife, photographer Bri Dwyer, welcomed into the world their daughter, Blakely Jade Dwyer.
All the while, he's keeping the memory of his late father alive. This is being done by upholding the lessons learned during his teenage years but also trying to help others suffering from ALS. He regularly fundraises for ALS TDI, which, he told National Fisherman, is "the largest ALS biotech that exists and their sole focus is just trying to find a cure. ALS is a disease that doesn't have any treatments or cures and we like to say that it's not un-curable, it's just underfunded."