Frostbite and hypothermia are common concerns on “Deadliest Catch.” Fire — not so much. Still, Freddy Maugatai took the at-sea blaze in stride. “Hey, human candle! Dude, you were gone! You were on fire!” said Hillstrand before apologizing profusely for the prank gone wrong. “I’m OK, boss,” Maugatai responded. “That was the best birthday present ever!”
Fans of “Deadliest Catch” shouldn’t be surprised by Maugatai’s easy-going demeanor. The veteran deckhand, who first appeared on the series in 2008, has long displayed an affinity for wild stunts. In Season 9, Maugatai jumped overboard in an effort to harvest a walrus carcass’ lucrative tusks, despite protests from his fellow deckhands.
Maugatai’s devil-may-care personality has gotten him into hot water, too. In 2012, Maugatai got into legal trouble when he had an altercation with a couple in a hotel bar bathroom. A year later, he and a rookie fisherman almost came to blows on Keith Colburn’s ship.
While Maugatai’s temper and impulsive lifestyle may not jibe with some captains, he and Johnathan Hillstrand are a perfect match. Hillstrand is an avowed prankster with a love of motorcycles and auto racing. His birthday prank may have gotten out of hand, but Maugatai graciously accepts his apology.
