The captains discuss the cast changes.

As October rolls around, 2013 King Crab season boat preparations go off without a hitch, except for something no one foresaw: a Federal government shutdown which closed the office that issues permits/quotas for the fishery. Jake Andersen returns to the Northwestern after being mistreated on the Kiska Sea (during 2013 Opilio season). The Hillstrands and Hansens conspire on an epic double-double-cross prank involving deckhand Nick "Sunshine", who left the Northwestern upon Jake's return to fill the gap in the Time Bandit crew created by Josh Harris' return to the Cornelia Marie as her Captain. Capt. "Wild" Bill Wichrowski on the Cape Caution takes on an ex-Marine greenhorn with Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishing experience. Junior aggravates his back injury changing a deck light bulb on the Seabrooke. A capless and bald Capt. Keith is in Washington, D.C. to testify before the Senate Commerce committee while Monte preps the Wizard, with, miraculously, no new greenhorns to break in. The fleet's Captains and some deckhands watch the C-SPAN 3 broadcast testimony in a bar. After 3 years of fishing blue king crab, Capt. Elliott preps for his first season on the red king crab grounds. As the shutdown continues, Junior and Keith patch up differences at the local bar. "Sunshine" is caught in a net as the prank is executed. The shutdown ends, and the fleet scrambles to get quotas, fuel, and hit the sea. In many ways, the season will have the feel of the old derby system, to get to the crab first, catch as many as you can, and deliver them in time for the early November holiday season deadlines. The Cape Caution suddenly loses its starter when Wild Bill doesn't engage in the voodoo protection ritual brought on deck by the new greenhorn, and is the last to get out of Dutch Harbor. Bill completes the ritual and the quarter is tossed off-deck. The first hour wraps up as the Time Bandit, while setting pots, is boarded by the USCG for a spot safety gear inspection, despite a complete boat inspection prior to departure.

Behind schedule due to the shutdown, the fleet must work hard to make their quotas before the due date.

When bad weather hits the fleet, the captains try and stay on course even though they are now battling against a spate of malfunctions.

The King fleet grows desperate as it hurtles towards the finish line and Sig enters into a partnership with the Hillstrands to protect his fishing ground. The fleet rushes to turn around and fish for bardai crab. Keith is reluctant to let Monte talk the helm and Monte finds himself on the wrong side of the law when he misjudges his fishing area.

As crews prepare to head to the Bairdi grounds, a mayday call from a sinking ship prompts a dramatic at-sea rescue. On the Cape Caution, Bill's greenhorn is looking for a way off the boat. Junior's back is troubling him and his crew convince him to head for shore.

With one captain in the hospital and another on a bender, fishing has come to a halt on two boats. Out at sea an alleged felon is trapped, a boat goes dark, and on the Time Bandit... well, Captain Johnathan just wants to be young again.

Junior is about to have his back operation while the rest of the fleet try fill their quota. A United States Coast Guard rescue turns deadly when a Coastie is gravely injured. Elliot is putting off checking into rehab.

Opilio season kicks off with the return of the fabled Cornelia Marie. After a 3-year struggle Josh Harris bought back the boat that helped make his old man a legend. 18-year-old Mandy Hansen arrives to convince her father Sig to take her fishing. As the fleet leaves the harbour the Seabrooke stays behind, with Junior still in hospital.

Blood is spilled on the Cape Caution, when a brutal storm rips across the Bering Sea. Rookie boat owner, Josh Harris swallows his pride. Captain Sig fights to keep the Northwestern from going up in flames and captain Keith battles boat-sinking ice.

The Northwestern is again suffering failures, this time leaving them with very little freshwater, leading to a somewhat stinky crew and a major hydraulic leak on the Time Bandit causes problems in the engine room. On the Cape Caution the greenhorn is still struggling and Sig's daughter arrives to go fishing.

Mandy gets trained by the Northwestern crew.

As the wintery Opilio season roars on, Sig puts Mandy at the helm in boat-crushing seas. Josh Harris struggles quash a rebellion. Elliott's new girlfriend arrives (much to his crew's chagrin). Zack Larson feels Wild Bill's wrath.

It's Super Bowl Sunday on the Bering Sea. The Cornelia Marie battles 20-foot breakers in St. Paul, a blown prop on the Time Bandit causes a rift that pulls the Hillstrand apart and "Wild" Bill takes his deck boss to task.

One of the final episodes of a season nominated for 4 primetime EMMY awards. Sig orders a classic Northwestern grind, Mandy learns what it's really like to be a greenhorn. With major repairs on the Time Bandit, Captain Andy is faced with a tough decision.

With the end in sight, crews struggle to keep it together. A saboteur seeks an early end for the Cape Caution. Cornelia Marie Captains Josh Harris and Casey McManus fight to control their crew. On the Time Bandit a long lost Hillstrand returns.

In the 2-hour season finale of Deadliest Catch, an arctic hurricane strikes the fleet and threatens to sink the Cornelia Marie. The Northwestern needs repair in 30 foot seas. Blood is shed on the Time Bandit. The Wizard looks to have a near perfect season.