Coast Guard makes daring rescue on 'Deadliest Catch'

There was an intense rescue on Deadliest Catch when the Coast Guard answered a distress call about a crewman who had severely hurt his thumb. Despite horrific weather conditions, the helicopter crew rushed in to save the man's hand. Record swells and bad weather combined to make the seas particularly treacherous in the 2017 king crab fishing season. One fisherman got caught up in the rocking seas and it nearly cost him his hand. The unidentified fisherman described the incident saying, "My hand got pinched in between the block and the davit. Took a wave, and I rolled over, and I went to catch myself, and it smashed it." The injury caused tearing of the skin, nail, and fat from the bone. Ultimately leaving only a painful stub. Fortunately a Coast Guard helicopter crew was able to overcome the hurricane winds and waves in order to hoist the fisherman into the aircraft. They were able to evacuate the injured sailor to Cold Bay, where he received medical attention. Deadliest Catch airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Discovery.