By April MacIntyre Oct 30, 2009, 16:25 GMT
Discovery Channels' high seas adventure series returns.
Swords: Life On The Line, the hit documentary series that showcases the lives of New England’s long line fisherman, will return for a second season of danger and adventure in the North Atlantic, it was announced today by John Ford, president and general manager of The Discovery Channel.
Produced by Original Productions, a FremantleMedia company, and BermanBraun, the second season is slated to premiere early next year with all-new episodes.
The series takes viewers into the lives of New England’s long line fishermen. These men and women are gamblers, risking all to catch an elusive prey in some of the most dangerous waters on the planet.
Fishing Vessel: BIG EYEWanchese, NC
Capt. Chris "Chomps" Hanson is in significant debt over his dilapidated boat and he is willing to do anything to catch fish, including breaking every rule there is. The boat is owned by his fiancé Anna. She's the youngest long line boat owner in the fleet.
The Big Eye is a 58-foot, house forward, fiberglass boat that's seem better days. The name is worn on the front and rear and it's obvious that the vessel has fished for a long time. It's a cramped vessel with few luxuries onboard beyond those needed for catching fish. With the exception of the electronics in the wheelhouse, the aged interior matches the exterior, with the whole boat looking worn and worked in. Under the hood it's a totally different story though -- the engines have been tricked out by the boat's new young captain. With time being money, the added speed gives this boat a slight advantage over its sluggish competition.
THE CREW:Woody Montague, deckhandJohn Weekes, deckhandMatt Carter, greenhorn
Fishing Vessel: EAGLE EYE IIFairhaven, MA
The most prolific boat in the fleet, the crew of the Eagle Eye II works together like a well-oiled machine. And, under Capt. Scott Drabinowicz, they make very good money. He proves he is a great fisherman by always finding the fish. The crew knows they've got a big payday coming when they push off the dock with Scott. Scott drives his crew hard, but he knows his game better than anybody and isn't afraid to say so.
The Eagle Eye II is a 100-foot long, steel-hulled Grand Banks boat.
THE CREW:Brian Turk, deckhandKenny Puddester, deckhandDarryl Wallace, deckhandLisa Natanson, NOAA biologist on board to tag and release sharks
“Swords is a potent mix of unbelievable footage and unforgettable characters,” said Ford. “The show captures the grit, guts and humor its takes for these men and women to conquer the high seas and high stakes of sword fishing,” said Ford.
The show debuted Tuesday, August 11 following Shark Week, and consistently ranked #1 in the M25-54 demographic for all regular nonfiction cable series throughout its 8-week run.
Fishing Vessel: FRANCES ANNEBarnegat Light, NJ
The youngest boat, the crew of the Frances Anne are happy-go-lucky surfer guys who relentlessly play practical jokes. Their wild skipper Capt. Chris, "Chum Slick", "Chums" or "Chummer," Kleme has some warped methods of motivating his team to work harder. When the work is slow, he's been known to fire roman candles or paintballs at the guys.
The Frances Anne is a 72-foot forward housed boat that sleeps six.
THE CREW:Bryan Masterson, deckhandLemmie Eastburn, deckhandBen Raimo, deckhand
Fishing Vessel: SEA HAWKFairhaven, MA
Capt. Linda Greenlaw assembles her fishing dream team of old timers. A long time veteran of the sword fishing industry, Linda survived the perfect storm in the sister ship to the Andrea Gail, the Hannah Boden. No matter the weather, Linda is cool, calm and collected. The crew has to use all their experience to outdo the Eagle Eye II and its machine crew on the unpredictable and dangerous Grand Banks.
The Sea Hawk is a 70-foot steel hulled boat built in the 1970's. It's a house forward design with the wheelhouse raised up above the cabin and the galley area and crew quarters beneath. The Sea Hawk is a veteran of the Grand Banks fishery, but it can be an adventure handling the seasonal storms in this boat.
THE CREW:Archie Jost, deckhandMike Machado, deckhandTim Palmer, deckhandDavid Hiltz, greenhorn
Swordfish, the magnificent giants of the deep, can weigh over a thousand pounds and the best time to catch them is every fall when they can be found in the stormy waters of George's Bank – the home of the fated fishing expedition that was dramatized in the film, "Perfect Storm."
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