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Q: What made you decide to do this?
A: I didn't decide to fish, it was forced child labour. My dad made it so. He said if you're not going to go to college, don't be a dummy, go fish. So, he bought me my first plane ticket and shot me on up here. And here I am. Thank God.
Q: You have spoken of your late father with great regard and said he was a great fisherman. Can you tell us something about him as a dad?
A: It was tough love, that's how we were raised. You have to imagine back in the day, those old timers were gone 10 months out of the year. Every time we got in trouble at home, mom would say "Wait until your father gets home." We were like "Jeez, he's not going to be home for months!" So, we had to sweat for four months until he got home, and then of course Mom never told him all the bad things we did. So, when he was home, he was the best father he could be. Calling us dummies, making us mow his lawn. That's Norwegian love!
Q: How long has your family been fishing?
A: We are fourth generation, so that'd be our great grandfather. He fished when he was a child. So, ever since I can remember, going back four generations. And I hope it shows.
Q: What is it really like working with your brother as the captain?
A: Living hell, literally! But it works out. He sticks with the best of what he does and I do the best at what I do. So, it works out.
Q: We've seen some of the other brothers take turns between working on the deck and being captain. Have you and Sig ever considered that for yourselves?
EH: Not really, because Sig is pretty much too lazy to go out on deck. And he's too old. So, it's my deck and it's run the way I like it. If he were to come down I'm sure he'd try to change things. I like where I'm at, which is pretty much as far away from Sig as possible. He did take a turn down on deck this last season, a little something to look forward to on the show. But, no, his place is upstairs and mine is on deck. I'd like to keep it that way, until he's ready to give up the chair. Then I'll find another deckhand. Until then, I'll keep it the way it is.
Q: Norman seems to be the quietest of the Hansen brothers. Does he ever play pranks on you? Or is he the mediator between you and Sig?
A: The only mediator we have on board is Matt, he's our on-board psychologist. Norman is just Norman, he's a hermit. He likes keeping to himself and does. He knows what to do, does what he's told. He's the perfect deckhand. One thing about not talking; he doesn't talk back!
Q: Are you ever going to get your own crab boat or are you going to work with Sig until you get tired of being a crab fisherman?
A: No, I think he's going to leave the boat to me at some point in time. He's not getting any younger. I'll probably take the boat for cod fish, and during crab seasons if we end up getting more quota we'll end up swapping out. One more boat would just add to the madness.
Q: Is sarcasm a trait your entire family has, or do you and your brother just use it on board to keep things interesting?
A: God no, sarcasm's been handed down to us for four generations. It comes with the territory. If you're a fisherman, then you're sarcastic. We just happen to be better at it then most. We can be big teddy bears, too.
Q: What was your worst moment on last season?
A: My worst moment would have to be having to go home. It's a shame to leave.
Q: What was your first crab fishing experience? What kind of greenhorn were you?
A: My first experience was hell, I lived in hell for two years, literally. I made $100 a day on my first two and a half years on the boat, and back then we were working seven or eight months straight with no breaks. These guys that trained me were old school. So I got yelled at, belittled, stuff thrown at me. It was no picnic, let's put it that way.
Q: You seem to relish breaking in this season's greenhorn. What's your philosophy on breaking in greenhorns?
A: My philosophy is do unto others as has been done unto you. My dad owned a boat and believe me I got my butt kicked more than once. And it taught me how to be a good fisherman. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
Q: What is the stupidest thing you have either seen or heard of a greenhorn doing?
A: I've done a couple of stupid things myself. Actually, one of the dumbest things I ever heard of was a boat was tying up to the dock, and a guy was up on the bow and he was going to throw the tie-up line to the dock. And when he threw it, he didn't let go so he went over the side of the boat, line and all. We've also told greenhorns that there are mail buoys out in the Bering Sea, so if you wanted to write a letter, go ahead and write it and we'd drop it off at the buoy for them.
Q: What are the qualities that you look for in a greenhorn?
A: Young and dumb, being able to close his eyes and open his ears. A guy that's willing to go the extra mile. Just to be able to muddle through the pain and the sleep deprivation and not complain about it.
Q: Have you ever thought of starting a greenhorn training camp?
A: I should start my own Greenhorn Variety Show, and have an elimination process.
Q: Is it hard to get a job on one of the boats?
A: It's very hard. Jobs are scarce and there's more guys looking for work nowadays than ever. Not just because of the show, but because of the way the new regulations are. There's like two or three hundred people looking for crab jobs that were working before. So, getting a job nowadays is probably one in a million. You just have to be in the right place at the right time.
