A Quick Interview with Captain Keith Colburn of TV's "Deadliest Catch" Fame!

Hey Toologics readers, we've got something special for you today!  We recently got a chance to ask Captain Keith Colburn a couple quick questions about how tools factor into daily life aboard a fishing vessel.  Fans of Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch will recognize Keith as captain of the fishing vessel Wizard, which has been featured on the show for the past three seasons.  You can check out Keith's website, full of all kinds of pictures and information about the crew and the Wizard itself, at Crabwizard.com.  With that said, on to the questions!

Toologics: Throughout the series, many tools are shown being used onboard crab boats. What tool(s) would you say are the absolute most crucial to have aboard?

Capt. Keith: End wrench sets from 7/16-1-1/2' are our bread and butter tools. Whether working on one of our 5 engines onboard, or the multitude of ships systems throughout the boat. We have a number of sets onboard ready to respond to everyday maintenance and emergencies.

Toologics: Some tools are used for many tasks beyond what they were intended. What tool have you found to be the most versatile onboard the Wizard?

Capt. Keith: It's amazing what you can do with a good old fashioned sledgehammer, and if need be we even use them to bang the ice off the boat in the middle of winter.

Toologics: As tools break or become lost, they must be replaced. What tool(s) onboard the Wizard have best survived the test of time?

Capt. Keith: Proper care and storage of tools takes on a high priority while at sea. The salt air of the marine environment plays havoc on tools, especially anything with moving parts. Pneumatic tools need to be lubricated and stored meticulously. Any tool that's used needs to be wiped down and stored properly. One, to achieve maximum longevity, but also when it's crunch time and seconds count, being able to locate tools is paramount in fixing the problem quickly. End wrench sets, pipe wrenches, and hammers of all types seem to hold up well to years of abuse. Buy a quality set of end wrenches and take care of them, and your kids will be using them in the future.

We would like to thank Captain Keith for taking the time to answer our questions; with his busy schedule, it means a lot.  The 2009-2010 King and Opilio Crab season is fast approaching, and we wish Keith and his crew the best of luck!

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