Bering Sea Gold (2012) s01e04 Episode Script

[ WHISTLING ]
WHAT IS REALLY, REALLY ESSENTIAL
ABOUT DREDGING,
WHAT IS SO COOL ABOUT IT
YOU GET TO BE PART OF A TEAM.
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
I GOT ENOUGH CLAMS
ON THERE.
YOUR CAPTAINCY SUCKS.
CHECK YOUR EGO.
GET THE [BLEEP] OUT!
Man: YOU DON'T COMMUNICATE,
YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN OUT THERE.
Meisterheim:
WHAT GOOD IS A COM SYSTEM
IF YOU AIN'T GONNA
PAY ATTENTION TO IT?!
[ GRUNTS ]
[ GROANS ]
YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP THOSE LINES
OF COMMUNICATION OPEN.
BECAUSE WITH GOLD,
THERE ARE NO SECOND CHANCES.
[ WHISTLING ]
[ "GOLD IN THESE HILLS" PLAYS ]
LISTEN UP CLOSE, NOW ♪
WHAT I SAY ♪
I'M A-GONNA TAKE THAT RISK
ONE DAY ♪
I HEARD ABOUT A FORTUNE
TO BE MADE ♪
AND I'M A-GONNA GET IT,
NOW, JUST YOU WAIT ♪
'CAUSE I HEARD
THAT THERE'S GOLD ♪
IN THESE HILLS ♪
--Captions by VITAC --
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
GOLD ♪
Narrator:
MIDNIGHT -- NOME, ALASKA.
Ian: WE BASICALLY HAVE
22 HOURS OF USEABLE LIGH
UP HERE RIGHT NOW.
NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.
HERE TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME.
Narrator: THE THREE-MONTH
SUMMER GOLD-DREDGING SEASON
IS HALFWAY OVER.
Steve P.:
WE DON'T NEED DAYLIGHT.
SOON AS THE WEATHER LAYS DOWN,
WE'RE OUT THERE DIGGING.
Narrator: BUT NO ONE IS HALFWAY
TO TURNING A PROFIT.
Emily:
WE'VE HAD PRETTY SPOTTY WEATHER.
WE COULD HAVE ANOTHER MONTH
DOWN, AND IF THAT HAPPENS,
IT'S GONNA GO SOUTH
REALLY QUICKLY.
Narrator: AT 4:00 A.M
GO.
WILD RANGER CAPTAIN
SCOTT MEISTERHEIM SHOVES OFF.
Meisterheim: MY REASON FOR
COMING UP HERE AND DOING THIS
WAS A MEANS TO AN END.
IT WAS AN END TO MY TROUBLES.
YOU KNOW, I'M HERE
TO PAY MY CHILD SUPPORT.
IF I DON'T PAY THAT [BLEEP]
IT'S JAIL TIME FOR ME.
BUT IF THE REST OF THE SEASON
GOES LIKE IT'S GOING RIGHT NOW,
THAT THING MIGHT AS WELL
JUST BE SUNK.
Narrator: FOR SIX STRAIGH
WEEKS, A STRING OF BREAKDOWNS
[BLEEP] SUCTION!
HE NEEDS SUCTION!
HAVE LED TO GRIM RESULTS.
THERE'S NO GOLD
IN THE [BLEEP] BERING SEA.
AND CAPTAIN AND CREW HAVE BEEN
AT EACH OTHER'S THROATS.
Meisterheim: DOESN'T HUR
TO GET ON YOUR DAMN HANDS
AND KNEES AND LOOK.
FINALLY YOU GREW
A SET OF [BLEEP]
POUR GAS ON IT AND BURN IT.
THAT'D BE THE MOST EXCITEMEN
YOU'RE GONNA GE
OUT OF THAT THING.
THAT'S A VIKING FUNERAL.
IN MY POSITION, IT WOULD JUST BE
SIMPLY [BLEEP] ARSON.
Narrator:
WITH THE CREW ON SHAKY GROUND,
THE SKIPPER IS CHARTING
A NEW COURSE ON DECK.
Meisterheim:
STEVE, COME HERE.
I NEED YOU CLOSER, 'CAUSE I'M
GONNA TRY NOT TO YELL TODAY.
BARRING ANY DUMB QUESTIONS
AND STUPID OPINIONS,
I'M GONNA TRY
TO PLAY NICE.
I DON'T WANT TODAY TO BE
SOME [BLEEP] ARGUE-FEST.
'CAUSE SOMEBODY WILL
GO OFF THE BOAT.
I'M NOT GONNA ARGUE
WITH YOU.
Meisterheim: WE'LL SEE
HOW THE DAY GOES.
'CAUSE IT'S A NEW DAY,
BUT THEY'RE STILL IDIOTS.
Narrator:
SCOTT'S DESTINATION FOR GOLD --
A SPOT HE SCOUTED
AND MARKED 2 MILES OFFSHORE.
ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES
THAT WILD RANGER HAS
OVER OTHER DREDGERS
IS WE HAVE A 40-FOOT HOSE.
SO WE CAN DIVE DEEPER.
THE GOLD IS BIGGER
AS YOU GET DEEPER.
ON THE BEACH, IT'S VERY FINE,
AND AS YOU GO OUT,
THE LAYERS GET COARSE.
JASON, SWING OVER
TO THAT BUOY RIGHT THERE.
TELL ME WHAT I GOT TO DO
UP THERE.
STRAIGHTEN IT OUT.
YOU'RE GOOD.
STEVE, YOU WAN
TO GRAB THAT BUOY?
Steve R.: UH-HUH.
SHUT HER DOWN.
OKAY, WE GOT ANCHOR SET.
Narrator: TODAY, A LONGER HOSE
ISN'T THEIR ONLY ADVANTAGE.
Meisterheim: CHECK OUT MY MASK,
MY BRAND-NEW TOY.
Narrator: SCOTT'S NEW MASK LETS
THE DIVER COMMUNICATE TOPSIDE,
MAXIMIZING TIME ON THE BOTTOM
AND HOPEFULLY ON THE GOLD.
COMS AND LIGHTS.
THAT MEANS STEVE WILL BE ABLE
TO TALK TO ME.
[BLEEP] GREAT.
Walker:
I NEED A CONFIDENCE BOOSTER.
WE ARE ALL RUNNING OUT OF MONEY.
AND WE CAN'T KEEP
COMING OUT HERE
AND PULLING ONLY MERE GRAMS
PER HOUR.
THAT'S JUST NOT GONNA WORK OUT.
SCOTT'S DOWN.
HE'S BEEN DOWN
FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES.
WEATHER'S REALLY GOOD.
I THINK IT WILL BE
A PRETTY GOOD DAY OUT HERE.
AS A TOPSIDE GUY, I CAN --
I ANTICIPATE THE DIVER'S NEEDS
WITH AIR AND A HOT-WATER SUPPLY
AND THE SUCTION,
SO I'M AHEAD OF HIM AS FAR AS
WHAT HE NEEDS TO HAVE DONE.
[ BEEP ]
[ BEEP ]
CAN YOU HEAR ME
DOWN THERE?
[ BEEP ]
NOT SURE
IF YOU CAN HEAR ME.
[ BEEP ]
I CAN'T UNDERSTAND
WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
[ BEEP ]
IT'S TOO MUFFLED, SO WE'LL
FIGURE SOMETHING ELSE OUT.
I DID HEAR HIM SAY SOMETHING.
[ BABBLING ]
[ LAUGHS ]
HERE'S HIS BUBBLES.
BUT NOBODY'S RESPONDING
TO ME.
I'VE HAD [BLEEP] SUCTION
THE WHOLE TIME.
NO SUCTION!
I HAD NO HEAT! I WAS FREEZING
MY [BLEEP] OFF!
WHAT GOOD IS A [BLEEP]
COM SYSTEM
IF YOU AIN'T GONNA
PAY ATTENTION TO IT?!
HE DIDN'T HEAR A THING.
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
I'M GONNA NOT GIVE YOU SUCTION
AND NOT GIVE YOU HOT WATER
FOR AN HOUR
AND SEE HOW YOU LIKE IT.
TRYING TO [BLEEP] KILL ME,
STEVE?
ARE YOU THAT PISSED AT ME?
THE ONLY WAY I KNOW
HOW TO MANAGE STEVE
IS TO TELL HIM TO SHUT HIS MOUTH
AND TO "JUST DO WHAT I TELL YOU
TO DO AND DON'T ARGUE."
BUT HE CAN'T SEEM
TO DO ANY OF THAT.
HE'S ALWAYS GOT TO RUN
HIS [BLEEP] YAP.
TRYING MY PATIENCE.
Narrator:
3 MILES UP THE COAST
Moen: DO YOU SEE GOLD?
SHIFT CHANGE
ON THE CHRISTINE ROSE.
ALL RIGHT, MAN.
AFTER 12 HOURS ON THE GOLD,
OWNER STEVE POMRENKE
IS TRUSTING THE OPERATION
TO HIS TWO NEWEST DECKHANDS,
CODY MOEN AND ROBBI WADE.
Man: ALL RIGHT, GOOD LUCK.
GOOD LUCK.
ALL RIGHT.
FIVE WEEKS AGO, THE DREDGE'S
CO-OWNER, STEVE'S SON SHAWN,
GOT STABBED IN A BAR FIGHT
AH! [ GROANS ]
Narrator: AND ALMOS
HAD TO SIT THE SEASON OUT.
Steve P.: IF I LOSE SHAWN,
WELL, THAT PUTS DOUBLE
THE PRESSURE ON THE OLD MAN.
I'M WANTING TO BACK OFF
A LITTLE BIT.
I GOT PLENTY OF GRAY HAIR.
I CAN -- SHOULD BE ABLE
TO QUIT PRETTY SOON.
I DECIDED TO PUT ROBBI
IN CONTROL OVER CODY.
ROBBI'S DONE A LOT HARDER WORK
IN HIS LIFE
COMPARED TO WHAT CODY HAS,
SO THAT'S
THE DRIVING FORCE THERE,
AS TO WHY I GAVE ROBBI
THE MANAGER POSITION
OR THE SHIP BOSS
AND CODY'S SECOND HAND.
Narrator:
IF ROBBI CAN RUN THE SHOW,
IT WILL HELP SECURE HIS SPO
ON THE DREDGE
AND THE FUTURE
OF THE ENTIRE OPERATION.
Wade: SUPPOSED TO HAVE
A GOOD STRETCH OF WEATHER,
SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN LOAD UP
ON SOME GOLD HERE.
Narrator: THE LARGEST DREDGE
IN THE FLEET,
THE CHRISTINE ROSE
USES A 15-TON BACKHOE
TO CLAW UP THE OCEAN FLOOR.
WE'LL DIG HERE FOR A LITTLE BIT.
STEVE WANTED US TO KEEP
DIGGING HERE, SO
Narrator:
BUT ON THE FIRST BUCKET,
THE GREENHORN QUESTIONS THE BOSS
MAN'S ORDERS TO DIG THIS SPOT.
WE'RE REALLY CLOSE TO WHERE
WE'VE ALREADY DUG,
AND THIS MATERIAL'S JUST --
I DON'T THINK
IT'S THE RIGHT STUFF.
THIS MATERIAL DON'T LOOK GOOD
AT ALL TO ME.
LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING
ALREADY DUG.
IF WE'RE NOT DIGGING PAY DIRT,
IT AIN'T WORTH SITTING HERE.
I GOT IT ALL SET UP SO WE CAN
TEST THE MATERIAL REALLY FAST.
YOU'RE FINE.
I CAN'T GET HIT RIGHT HERE.
Narrator:
CODY PANS DIRT FROM THE BUCKE
TO SEE IF THEY'RE HAULING IN
ANY GOLD.
I MEAN, THAT'S GOLD
RIGHT THERE, DUDE.
WOW. DUDE.
THE OLD MAN WAS RIGHT.
WE'RE GETTING GOOD GOLD!
Wade: BUILDS MY CONFIDENCE
A LITTLE MORE.
[ GRUNTS ]
[ GROANING ]
Narrator: ON THE CHRISTINE ROSE,
GREENHORN ROBBI WADE IS RUNNING
THE SHOW FOR THE FIRST TIME.
[ GRUNTS ]
[ GROANING ]
[ GROANING CONTINUES ]
Moen: THAT WAS STUPID.
WHAT?
YOU SAID
YOU WERE GONNA WATCH OUT.
IT AIN'T THAT HARD.
HE SAID HE WAS PAYING ATTENTION
TO ME, AND OBVIOUSLY HE DIDN'T.
WHAT'S THAT?
WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT, CODY,
YOU'RE THE ONE THAT SAID
SO, YOU KNOW.
I DIDN'T SAY
IT WAS YOUR FAULT,
BUT I SAID, "I'M FINE,
THANKS FOR ASKING."
LIKE YOU EVEN [BLEEP]
CARE.
YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN ALL RIGH
IF YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN
PAYING ATTENTION.
[BLEEP]
DON'T EVEN [BLEEP] CARE.
DOESN'T EVEN CARE.
YEAH, NO BIG DEAL, DUDE.
THAT MACHINE COULD KILL YOU
IN, LIKE, A SECOND.
THAT THING HIT ME HARD.
THAT'S A COUPLE TONS
OF SWINGING STEEL COMING
AND HITTING ME
IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD.
BUT HE DOESN'T EVEN CARE.
HE JUST SAYS, "YOU SHOULD
HAVE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION."
WHAT A [BLEEP]
WHAT IF I BROKE MY [BLEEP] NECK?
HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE SOME BIG GUY
IN CHARGE OUT HERE.
FEEL REAL SAFE OUT HERE
WORKING WITH ROBBI NOW.
Narrator: ON WEST BEACH
IAN FOSTER
SITS ON THE SIDELINES
WHILE PARTNER SCOTT TAKES
IAN'S DREDGE, THE SLUICEY,
ON A SOLO MISSION.
Ian: HE'S HUNGRY.
HE WANTS TO GET UNDERWATER.
HE WANTS TO WORK HARD, YOU KNOW.
I NEED TO GIVE HIM HIS SHOT TO
BE UNDERWATER, CALL THE SHOTS.
JUST GONNA BE
ME AND THE SEA TODAY.
Ian: WE REALIZED THAT WE HAD TO
CHANGE UP THE GAME A LITTLE BI
IF WE WANTED TO MAKE
THIS PROFITABLE.
WE DECIDED THAT THE BEST THING
FOR US TO DO
WOULD BE TO SPLIT SHIFTS.
Narrator: SO FAR, IAN'S
ROOKIE SEASON AS A DREDGER
HASN'T GONE AS PLANNED.
Scott: WHAT KIND OF BALING WIRE
AND DUCT-TAPE SOLUTIONS
ARE THERE TO BAND-AID
EVERY LITTLE PROBLEM
THAT'S ON THE DREDGE?
Narrator: NOW IAN'S
CHANGING HIS STRATEGY
TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME
AND HAUL MORE GOLD.
Ian: WE'RE HERE BECAUSE OF GOLD,
AND THE BEST WAY TO MAKE
THE MOST AMOUNT OF MONEY
IS FOR US TO SPLIT IT UP
AND DIVE SOLO.
Scott:
I'LL BE RESPONSIBLE WITH IT.
THAT BEING SAID, I'M DOING
THINGS A LITTLE DIFFEREN
FROM HOW IAN WOULD DO THEM.
I'M HONESTLY A LITTLE BIT SCARED
THAT SCOTT IS GONNA PUSH I
FARTHER THAN I WOULD.
IAN WAS AFRAID OF THE WAVES
SPLASHING OVER THE BOW
AND US TAKING ON WATER.
JUSTIFIABLY SO.
WATER GOES OVER THE BOW OF
THE BOAT, YOU'RE SLOWLY SINKING.
I'M LEERY OF THE SAME THING,
AND IF WE TAKE ON A LITTLE BI
OF WATER, NO BIGGIE.
I DON'T WANT TO BE
IAN'S EMPLOYEE.
MY WHOLE MOTIVATION
FOR COMING THIS SUMMER
WAS TO GET ENOUGH GOLD
TO GET ANOTHER DREDGE UP HERE.
I WANT TO BUILD MY IDEAL DREDGE,
SOMETHING THAT CAN BE RUN
BY ONE PERSON -- ME --
AND WON'T RELY ON ANYBODY ELSE.
I'M GONNA NEED, YOU KNOW,
PROBABLY 50K TO 75K.
IT'S NOT SPARKING.
Narrator: THE PUMP ENGINE
THAT SENDS AIR TO THE DIVER
WON'T START.
Scott: THINK ONE OF THE WAVES
THAT SPLASHED I
GOT THE IGNITION WET.
SO, UH, GOT TO WAIT UNTIL
THE WATER DRIES OFF
OF WHATEVER ELECTRICAL
COMPONENTS GOT WET.
I MEAN, I'M JUST SITTING HERE.
THE WIND IS DYING DOWN.
THE WATER IS FLATTENING OUT.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY.
I'M OUT ON THE WATER.
THERE COULD BE
A DOZEN OUNCES OF GOLD
SITTING RIGHT UNDERNEATH ME.
AND I CAN'T GO DOWN
AND SUCK IT UP.
BECAUSE OF THE STUPID ENGINE,
I CAN'T GET GOING.
IT'S DRIVING ME NUTS.
Narrator: 2 MILES OFFSHORE
Steve R.: GOOD. THAT LOOKS
LIKE A GOOD SURFACE, NO?
THE WILD RANGER
HEATER AND SUCTION HOSE
ARE STILL OUT OF COMMISSION.
YEAH.
THAT LOOK LIKE
A GOOD SURFACE?
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S A GOOD
SURFACE INSIDE THERE.
WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
THE --
WHEN I SCREW THIS IN,
THE JOINT RIGHT HERE
GOES CROOKED.
MAYBE THAT'S
A BAD UNIT, THEN.
I MEAN, LET'S HOPE IT DOESN'T,
LIKE, BREAK OR SOMETHING.
THIS IS NOT EASY.
I AM FORCED TO HAVE
THESE TWO [BLEEP] ON MY BOAT.
THAT'S WHAT'S LEAKING,
NOT THIS.
YEAH, YEAH.
I GUESS I COULD JUS
HOLD ON TO THAT AND
YEAH, YOU COULD.
I DON'T NEED STEVE AND JASON
ON THAT BOAT.
IF THEY WERE TO QUIT RIGHT NOW,
I'M DREDGING MYSELF.
I DON'T SEE HOW IT'S GETTING
WORSE EACH TIME.
IT JUST SUCKED
EVERY [BLEEP] TIME.
WE DIDN'T WASTE
A DIME'S WORTH OF TIME.
WE HAVE NOT WASTED A DIME'S
WORTH OF TIME TODAY.
WE HAVE GOT A SYSTEM DOWN.
WE ARE A TEAM.
WE ARE WORKING
OUR TEAM SHIFT.
THIS HAS BEEN AWESOME.
YOU ARE ABOUT TO MAKE ME
PUKE RIGHT NOW.
SCOTT AND I ARE NO
GETTING ALONG AT ALL.
SO EVERYTHING WE DO TOGETHER
IS VERY STRAINED.
I'M STILL MAD AT YOU
FOR WHAT YOU DID TODAY.
JUST A BAD THING
FOR YOU TO DO.
I DON'T WAN
TO HEAR ABOUT IT.
YOU KNOW, I FOUGHT BACK
A LITTLE BIT, AND
[ LAUGHING ]
Narrator: FOR STEVE,
FIGHTING BACK
MEANS MOCKING HIS SKIPPER.
NO, NO SMART TALK
BACK TO ME, OKAY?
DON'T DO THAT AGAIN EVER.
THAT FITS.
I PROMISE NOT TO HIT YOU
AGAIN LIKE I DID.
ALL RIGHT.
TRY AND THROW YOU
IN THE WATER,
TALK BAD ABOUT YOUR MOM.
Meisterheim:
MY RELATIONSHIP WITH STEVE
I CAN'T STAND
THE KIND OF PERSON HE IS.
IT'S ALL BECOMING A "WHO'S GO
A BIGGER [BLEEP]" CONTEST.
WELL, I GOT NEWS FOR HIM.
I DO.
Narrator: A MILE INLAND
ON THE 20-FOOT CLARK
OH, MY GOD, IT'S SO CLEAR,
YOU CAN SEE THE BOTTOM.
AWESOME!
CAPTAIN ZEKE TENHOFF IS
ON THE HUNT FOR A NEW HOT SPOT.
Tenhoff: IT'S WARM AND SUNNY,
AND THE VISIBILITY'S
REALLY, REALLY GOOD.
SO I'M GONNA TAKE
THE OPPORTUNITY TODAY
TO DO A BUNCH OF PROSPECTING.
Narrator: ZEKE SPENT THE SEASON
ON THE GOLD.
Tenhoff: ALL RIGHT.
RIGHT ON.
Narrator:
BUT NOW HIS SPOT IS TAPPED OUT,
AND HE NEEDS A NEW HONEY HOLE.
WE'LL HAVE EMILY ON THE
OUTBOARD, DRIVING IN REVERSE,
PULLING ME DOWN THERE.
SO SHE'LL BE DRAGGING ME
ALONG THE BOTTOM,
AND AS I'M BEING DRUG
ALONG THE BOTTOM,
I'LL BE PUNCHING HOLES,
LOOKING FOR GOOD GOLD.
Narrator: GREENHORN EMILY
HAS SPENT HER FIRST SEASON
JUST TRYING TO SURVIVE.
THAT THING IS [BLEEP] DANGEROUS!
Narrator: AND NOW
SHE'LL BE PILOTING THE CLARK
FOR THE FIRST TIME.
THERE'S AN OUTBOARD ENGINE
THAT PROPELS THE BOAT.
IT'S AN INSANELY TRICKY ANIMAL.
IT'S LIKE A TEMPERAMENTAL WOMAN.
SHE'S INSANELY HARD TO MANAGE.
Narrator: TO HELP ZEKE PROSPECT,
EMILY WILL DRAG HIM THROUGH
THE WATER BEHIND THE DREDGE.
BUT TO KEEP FROM CUTTING
HIS AIR AND HOT-WATER LINES,
SHE'LL DRIVE IN REVERSE.
IT'S A GOOD WAY TO COVER
A LOT OF GROUND FAST,
BUT IT COULD BE DEADLY.
IF SHE SUDDENLY CHANGES SPEED
OR DIRECTION,
ZEKE'S MOMENTUM COULD CARRY HIM
RIGHT INTO THE SPINNING PROP.
IT IS SOMEWHAT DANGEROUS,
AND IT'S STRESSFUL FOR EMILY.
BUT IT'S A GOOD SYSTEM,
AND IT'S WORTH IT.
IT'LL BE A GOOD EXPERIENCE
FOR HER
AND, YOU KNOW, IN THE PROCESS
OF HER LEARNING
TO BE A GOLD DREDGER.
GO REALLY SLOWLY SOUTH.
ALL RIGHT.
KEEP AN EYE ON MY BUBBLES
AND WHERE MY AIR LINE IS.
AND DON'T GO TOO FAST.
Narrator:
EMILY HITS THE THROTTLE,
AND ZEKE GETS DRAGGED
ALONG THE OCEAN FLOOR.
Tenhoff: ALL THE ROCKS
UNDER THERE LOOK THE SAME,
AND THERE'S GOLD
UNDER SOME OF THOSE ROCKS,
AND THERE'S NO GOLD
UNDER SOME OF THOSE ROCKS.
IN ORDER TO FIND IT, YOU HAVE
TO COVER A LOT OF GROUND.
AS I'M BEING PULLED
ALONG THE BOTTOM,
I'M USING MY SUCTION HOSE
TO DIG HOLES,
DIG AS MANY HOLES AS I CAN
AS RAPIDLY AS I CAN
OVER A LARGE AREA OF GROUND.
I HATE DOING THIS, BECAUSE
IT MAKES ME REALLY NERVOUS
BECAUSE THE OUTBOARD'S RUNNING,
AND THERE'S A DIVER DOWN,
AND THAT REALLY FREAKS ME OUT,
THE POTENTIAL TO RUN OVER ZEKE.
I'M SUPPOSED TO BE GOING
REALLY SLOW,
BUT THERE'S SO MUCH ENGINE NOISE
RIGHT NOW
FROM THE PUMP AND THE COMPRESSOR
AND THE OUTBOARD,
I CAN'T REALLY TELL
WHETHER I'M MOVING OR NOT.
Narrator:
JUST OFF THE COAST OF NOME,
GREENHORN EMILY DRAGS ZEKE
ALONG THE OCEAN FLOOR
AS HE PROSPECTS FOR GOLD.
Emily: I'M SUPPOSED TO BE
GOING REALLY SLOW,
BUT I CAN'T REALLY TELL
WHETHER I'M MOVING OR NOT.
Tenhoff:
WHEN YOU'RE DRAGGING ME,
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
PUT THAT MUCH THROTTLE.
I KNOW.
OKAY.
Tenhoff: IT'S HARD TO TELL
EXACTLY WHERE IT'S COMING FROM,
BUT THE PAST COUPLE TIMES
I'VE GONE OUT ON THE WATER
WITH EMILY, YOU KNOW,
WE'RE NOT COMMUNICATING
THAT WELL,
AND SHE'S GIVING ME
MORE AND MORE ATTITUDE.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT,
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT!
I'M TRYING TO MOVE
TO THE OTHER SIDE,
BUT I DON'T KNOW --
TRYING TO THINK ABOU
WHERE THE HOSE IS AND
YOU'RE GOOD.
THE HOSE IS RIGHT THERE.
WELL, I KNOW, BUT
YEAH.
YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN DOING THIS
FOR A LONG TIME.
THIS IS HOW I WANT TO DO IT.
IF SHE DOESN'T WAN
TO DO IT MY WAY,
THEN SHE NEEDS TO SUCK IT UP
AND NOT GIVE ME
ANY ATTITUDE ABOUT IT.
YOU SEE HOW MUCH STRESS
THIS CAUSES ME WHEN I DO THIS?!
GET OVER IT!
IT'S YOUR JOB!
[BLEEP] YOU!
Narrator: JUST UP THE COAS
ON THE SLUICEY
SEE IF I CAN TAKE
THIS IGNITION SWITCH OFF.
Narrator: SCOTT FOSTER
IS STILL SIDELINED
WITH A WATERLOGGED
AIR COMPRESSOR.
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
WHOO!
GOT MY ENGINE GOING, BABY!
GOT EVERYTHING PUT BACK
TOGETHER.
COUPLE OF PULLS WITH THE CHOKE
ON, SHE FIRED RIGHT UP.
SO NOW I'M READY TO GO.
I'VE GOT A BIG AREA HERE
ALL TO MYSELF,
AND I'M JUST GONNA STAR
LOOKING FOR GOLD.
Narrator: THE ONLY WAY
TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME --
GET UNDERWATER AND FIND GOLD.
AFTER ONLY 15 MINUTES,
SCOTT FINDS A SWEET SPO
UNDER A 150-POUND ROCK
AND GOES LOOKING FOR MORE.
2 MILES OFFSHORE
ON THE WILD RANGER
IT'S GETTING REALLY BAD
RIGHT NOW.
Narrator: BREAKDOWNS
HAVE SHUT DOWN THE DREDGE,
AND NOW THEY HAVE A NEW PROBLEM.
Meisterheim:
THE WAVES ARE REALLY PICKING UP.
THE WIND HAS SHIFTED ALREADY,
SO, RULE OF THUMB OUT HERE
IS IF IT'S WHITECAPPING WITHIN
A HALF A MILE OF THE SHORE,
IT'S TIME TO GO IN.
[ GRUNTS ]
WE'VE GOT 3 MILES
TO GO [BLEEP] HOME.
IT'LL TAKE ABOUT TWO HOURS.
WE'RE HEADING RIGH
AGAINST THE WIND.
OKAY, FIRE IT UP.
[ ENGINE SPUTTERING ]
PUSH IN.
PUT THAT TOGETHER.
PUSH IT IN,
AND IT'LL CHOKE IT.
YEAH, I KNOW.
I DID THAT ALREADY.
I THINK THE WILD RANGER'S
A JOKE.
I THINK IT'S A PIECE OF [BLEEP]
IT RUNS LIKE IT'S THE TITANIC.
IT'S GONNA COLLAPSE
OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN
AND SINK TO THE BOTTOM.
Narrator: 2 MILES
OFF THE COAST OF NOME
AN OFFSHORE SWELL
IS BATTERING
THE 25-FOOT WILD RANGER.
AND THEIR OUTBOARD MOTOR
REFUSES TO FIRE.
TRY AND PULL IT.
UP AND DOWN ON THE LEVER.
PUMP IT.
OH, MAN, THIS IS --
THIS IS NOT GOOD.
Steve R.:
NOW, SOMEBODY TELL ME
HOW WE'RE GONNA
MAKE IT BACK IN.
Walker: I THINK WE'VE BITTEN OFF
MORE THAN WE CAN CHEW THIS TIME.
Narrator:
IF THE SEAS KEEP PICKING UP,
THEY'LL SWALLOW THE DREDGE
AND SWEEP THE CREW
INTO THE FRIGID BERING SEA.
CAN WE PUT THAT OTHER FUEL TANK?
Narrator: THE FUEL PUMP
WON'T PRIME THE ENGINE.
SO SCOTT STEPS IN
AND DOES IT HIMSELF.
[ ENGINE SPUTTERING ]
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
Meisterheim: BEAUTIFUL.
ONE MORE TIME.
[ LAUGHTER ]
Narrator:
3 MILES UP THE COAST
SCOTT FOSTER
IS STILL ON THE GOLD.
AFTER FOUR HOURS,
HE HEADS TOPSIDE
AND DISCOVERS A PROBLEM
WITH THE SLUICE BOX.
DAMN IT.
THIS CARPET WAS ALL HUMPED UP.
IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE.
SEE THIS FLAP RIGHT HERE?
IAN JUST LEFT IT SITTING THERE.
WELL, WHEN THE GRAVEL GOES
THROUGH, IT GOES "MRR" LIKE THIS
AND JUST GETS FULL OF SAND,
AND THEN IT JUST KICKS
ALL THE GOLD UP
SO THESE RIPPLES
DON'T DO ANY GOOD.
WE'RE NOT EVEN CATCHING
A FRACTION OF THE GOLD
THAT'S GOING THROUGH
THIS BOX RIGHT NOW.
SO NOW I'M TORN BETWEEN
IF I LEAVE IT LIKE THAT,
IT'S GONNA PROHIBI
PROPER GOLD RECOVERY,
BUT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO
CLEAN OUT THE ENTIRE SLUICE BOX,
WHICH MEANS I HAVE TO
TAKE THE DREDGE IN
AND MISS THESE
DREDGING CONDITIONS.
I'M JUST REALLY FRUSTRATED
WITH IAN RIGHT NOW.
I THINK HE JUST FIGURED THAT IF
HE LEFT IT UP THERE LIKE THAT,
IT WOULD CATCH GOLD, BUT BEING
AS IF IT'S NOT FASTENED DOWN,
ALL IT'S GONNA DO IS SHOO
THE GOLD UP IN THE AIR.
AH!
COME ON.
[BLEEP]
[ SIGHS ]
Narrator:
2 MILES UP THE COAST
WE GOT TO MOVE.
WHAT DIRECTION, THOUGH?
CAPTAIN SHAWN POMRENKE HAS COME
OUT TO MOVE THE BARGE OFF A SPO
THAT DECKHANDS CODY AND ROBBI
HAVE CLEARED OF GOLD.
TRYING TO FIGURE OU
HOW I'M GONNA MOVE HERE,
'CAUSE MY BACK'S
GIVING ME TROUBLE.
[ GROANS ]
Narrator: DURING A BAR FIGH
A MONTH AGO,
SHAWN GOT STABBED IN THE BACK
AND AGGRAVATED AN OLD INJURY.
AH! [ GROANS ]
Narrator: BUT FOR SHAWN, MISSING
PAY DIRT IS NOT AN OPTION.
Shawn:
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT I'M HERE.
WENT OUT EARLIER THIS SPRING,
FOUND A DECENT PAN OVER HERE,
BUT IT'S IN PRETTY SHALLOW.
I SPENT THE TIME
PANNING AND FIGURING OU
WHERE THE PAY STREAK IS.
DON'T DIG DEEP.
DIG SHALLOW,
AND IT SHOWS IN THE BAR.
YOU MOVE TO THE WRONG SPOT,
AND YOU AIN'T GETTING NO GOLD,
YOU'RE -- YOU'RE GOING BROKE.
Wade: RIGHT NOW,
WE'RE JUST SWITCHING SPOTS.
SHAWN'S JUST PULLING US ALONG
WITH THE EXCAVATOR RIGHT NOW.
HE'S JUST REACHING OU
AND GRABBING US
AND GONNA GET US INTO POSITION.
Narrator: SHAWN CLAWS HIS WAY
TO A SPOT HE MARKED ON HIS GPS,
TAKING THE DREDGE
INTO THE SHALLOWS.
WELL, NOW I'LL LOOK FOR MY SPOT.
RIGHT THERE.
THERE IT IS.
I'M TRYING TO HI
THIS LITTLE POINT HERE,
AND NOW I'M ONLY 9 FEET OFF.
3 METERS.
[ THUD ]
AH!
[ GROANS ]
Narrator:
ON THE CHRISTINE ROSE
[ THUD ]
AH!
Narrator: SHAWN NAILED
THE OCEAN FLOOR WITH THE BUCKE
AND TWEAKED HIS BACK.
Shawn: WELL, HERE WE GO.
BACK ONLY LASTED SO LONG TODAY.
HEY, ROBBI?
I GOT TO GET LAYING DOWN HERE.
MY BACK'S PRETTY BAD.
10-4.
OH, MY BACK IS JUST KILLING ME.
AAH!
Moen: THE BOSS IS DYING, MAN.
HE NEEDS TO GO
TO THE HOSPITAL, MAN.
'CAUSE THIS IS NOT GOOD.
IF HE'S NOT FEELING GOOD,
WE'RE GONNA BE [BLEEP] HURTING.
ALL OF US ARE GONNA BE HURTING.
MAN, THIS SUCKS.
Narrator: WITH SHAWN POMRENKE
DOWN FOR THE COUNT,
HIS FATHER, STEVE, MOTORS OU
TO REPLACE HIM.
NO MECHANICAL ERRORS,
NO MECHANICAL ISSUES TODAY.
JUST BACK-PAIN ISSUES
FOR THE BOY.
THE BOSS'S JOB IS TO GE
THE MOST WORK OUT OF YOUR CREW.
[ GROANS ]
IF I LOSE SHAWN, I LOSE THE BES
MECHANIC, THE BEST SHIP BOSS,
AND THEN SHAWN,
HE COULD LOSE EVERYTHING.
YOUR LOWER BACK,
OR IS IT, LIKE, UP HERE?
RIGHT THERE.
[ GROANS ]
DOWN.
[ GROANS ]
GOT TO MAKE IT HUR
IN ORDER TO MAKE IT BETTER.
WHEN HE'S FEELING
AS BAD AS HE'S FEELING NOW,
HE'S NOT CAPABLE
OF RUNNING THIS THING.
HIS MIND IS NOT ON HIS WORK.
IT'S ON HIS BAD BACK.
SO I'M THINKING I NEED
TO MAYBE JUST TAKE
THIS WHOLE DANG SHOW OVER
AND LET HIM TAKE A FEW DAYS OFF
SO HE CAN ACTUALLY FUNCTION
OUT HERE.
I PUT IN MY 55 YEARS OF WORK
SO FAR.
I SHOULD BE ABLE
TO START BACKING OFF
AND RELYING UPON HIS SENSIBILITY
TO BE THERE TO RUN THAT DREDGE,
NOT THIS INSENSIBILITY OF
GETTING IN A DAMN FIST FIGHT.
IF HE CAN'T DO IT, I'M THE ONLY
OTHER VIABLE PERSON,
AND I WANT HIM TO TAKE
THE WHOLE DAMN THING OVER
SO I CAN RELAX A LITTLE BIT.
THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SAY.
Narrator: AT BELMONT BEACH
Scott: THERE'S NO POIN
IN DIVING ALL THIS TIME
IF YOU CAN'T KEEP
ANY OF THE GOLD YOU SUCK UP.
Narrator: SCOTT FOSTER
DISMANTLES THE DREDGE'S
FAULTY SLUICE BOX.
HE HAD THESE BACKWARDS.
I WAS JUST KIND
OF UNDER THE ASSUMPTION
THAT IAN HAD ALREADY UNDERSTOOD
HOW IT WORKED,
BUT NOW THAT I SEE THIS,
IAN JUST DIDN'T EVEN UNDERSTAND
HOW IT WORKS AT ALL.
ONE OF THE CONS ABOUT IAN --
HE'S NOT TREMENDOUSLY
EXPERIENCED AT THIS.
YOU KNOW, IT WEARS
ON YOUR MENTAL STAMINA
WHEN CRAP BREAKS DOWN ON YOU,
YOUR EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTIONS,
AND YOU'RE NOT GONNA
GET THE GOLD.
THAT IS HOW
A SLUICE BOX LOOKS.
Narrator: ON THE WILD RANGER
TAKE IT ALL THE WAY AROUND
THAT RED BUOY
THAT'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.
Narrator: THE CREW HEADS
TO PORT FOR REPAIRS.
I DON'T HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY
AROUND THAT, DO I?
I'M VIDEOING
TO SHOW MY WIFE.
NO.
THAT'S MORE IMPORTAN
THAN THE [BLEEP] BOA
AND THE PEOPLE ON IT.
I TOLD YOU THERE WERE
BIG-ASS ROCKS IN HERE.
ALL YOU'RE GONNA WORRY
ABOUT IS YOUR CAMERA.
9 FEET, OKAY? RELAX.
OVER THERE.
SANDBAR WAY OUT HERE.
YOU AIN'T EVEN LOOKING.
WHY AM I EVEN TELLING YOU?
I SEE THE BUOY!
NO, I AM POINTING
AT THE [BLEEP] SANDBAR,
MR. KNOW-IT-ALL!
[BLEEP]
I SAW IT.
GO AHEAD!
BUST [BLEEP] UP.
Meisterheim: JASON IS A MORON.
HE SAT HIS ASS IN A [BLEEP] SEMI
FOR 18 YEARS,
AND NOW HERE HE IS, A DREDGER,
AND IF YOU ASK HIM,
HE'S A PROFESSIONAL DREDGER,
THE BEST ONE HERE.
5 FEET, 4 FEET,
3 FEET.
OH [BLEEP]
WE'RE 2 FEET RIGHT NOW.
YEAH, GET THE [BLEEP]
OUT OF HERE.
HEAD RIGHT TOWARDS THAT BUOY
RIGHT THERE.
3 FEET.
ALL RIGHT,
WE'RE GETTING IT BACK.
6 FEET.
PIECE OF CAKE.
YEAH.
AT LEAST WE KNOW
WE CAN DO IT.
THROTTLE THAT PUPPY.
WITH OR WITHOU
LISTENING TO SCOTT!
Meisterheim: NEITHER
ONE OF THOSE TWO [BLEEP]
HAVE COMMON SENSE.
I JUST WANT TO POUND THEM
RIGHT IN THEIR [BLEEP] FACE
UNTIL THEIR [BLEEP] BRAIN
FALLS OUT OF THEIR HEAD.
WHOO-HOO!
NO, I DON'T HAVE
AN ANGER-MANAGEMENT ISSUE.
I HAVE AN IDIOT ISSUE.
Narrator:
A STORM BLOWS INTO NOME.
AND THE GOLD CLEANUPS BEGIN.
Tenhoff: MOST OF THE GOLD
SHOULD BE UNDER
THIS BLUE GOLD TRAP.
IT'S CALLED MINER'S MOSS.
IT'S JUST A WOVEN PLASTIC
THAT SERVICES AS A TRAP.
NOT TOO SHABBY.
THERE'S A LOT OF GOLD OUT THERE.
I'M MOTIVATED TO GET A LOT MORE.
AND SO IS EMILY.
IF WE CAN KEEP IT TOGETHER
WITH OURSELVES
AND CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER,
I STILL KNOW I'M GONNA GET MORE
GOLD THAN I EVER HAVE BEFORE.
BUNCH OF GOLD
IN THE BOTTOM THERE.
Narrator: ZEKE'S
PROSPECTING TRIP PAID OFF --
7 OUNCES, WORTH $11,300.
NOW WE'RE TALKING.
GONNA BE A HIGH ROLLER.
Narrator: ON WEST BEACH
BAD WEATHER CAME IN AGAIN,
SO WE'RE CLEANING UP.
Narrator: FACED
WITH SLUICE-BOX PROBLEMS
Scott: MORE GOLD IN THE BOX
THAN WE THOUGHT,
BUT THE BOX ISN'T RECOVERING
GOLD THE WAY IT SHOULD.
Narrator: THE SLUICEY
PULLED IN JUST 4 OUNCES,
A HAUL WORTH $6,400.
STUFF'S REALLY FINE.
Narrator: AT THE POMRENKES'
CLEANUP SHACK
I'VE GOT THE DIRTY STUFF
IN THE FEEDER HERE
AND THE CLEAN STUFF
IS GOING UP THE TUBE.
Narrator: A BEATEN-DOWN CREW
DIDN'T STOP
THE CHRISTINE ROSE
Steve P.: THAT'S A PRETTY FAIR
AMOUNT OF GOLD IN THERE.
Narrator: FROM HITTING
ITS BIGGEST HAUL OF THE SEASON.
Steve P.:
A PAN OF THAT EQUALS POWER.
AWESOME.
LOVE TO SEE THAT.
LET'S TURN THE SCALE ON HERE
AND SEE WHAT WE GOT COOKING.
Narrator: TO COVER HIS OVERHEAD
AND STAY AFLOAT,
STEVE NEEDS TO CLEAR
$1.5 MILLION IN GOLD
THIS SEASON.
BY GOLLY, SOME NICE LITTLE
CHUNKIES IN THERE.
YEP. WE HIT A PRETTY HOT SPO
OUT THERE.
1,782 TIMES .9
TIMES 96.85 EQUALS
$155,328.03.
THAT'S BETTER THAN THE $96
PAYCHECK THAT I USED TO GE
WHEN I WAS WORKING
AS A YOUNG BOY.
YES, INDEED.
THE MASSIVE PAY DAY
IS DEFINITELY A STEP
IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
SO EASY TO PUT IN A JAR,
BUT SO HARD TO GE
OUT OF THE GROUND.
ALL RIGHT.
TIME TO GO MAKE SOME MORE.
ON THE WILD RANGER
THE CREW IS DOING REPAIRS
BEFORE CLEANING OU
THE SLUICE BOX.
Meisterheim: THE SEASON HAS BEEN
FULL OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS BOAT.
EVERYTHING THAT COULD GO WRONG
WITH THIS BOAT HAS GONE WRONG.
Narrator:
HALFWAY THROUGH THE SEASON,
EVERY DREDGE IS STRUGGLING
TO STAY AFLOA
AS THE POINT OF NO RETURN
QUICKLY APPROACHES.
Meisterheim:
MY INTENTION IS TO STICK IT OUT.
AS MUCH AS I COMPLAIN AND BITCH
THAT I JUST --
"[BLEEP] THIS, I WANT TO LEAVE,"
I'M NOT GONNA.
Narrator: BUT WORD OF
THE WILD RANGER'S FAILED TRIP
HAS SPREAD
TO OWNER VERNON ADKISON.
Adkison:
YEAH, I JUST FLEW BACK IN.
I'VE HAD SOME CREW ISSUES
AND, ONCE AGAIN,
SOME EQUIPMENT ISSUES.
SEE IF I CAN GET THINGS BACK UP
AND ROLLING.
Steve R.: HEY, VERNON.
WHY DON'T WE TAKE A WALK UP HERE
ON THE DOCK
AND HAVE A LITTLE CONVERSATION?
PRIMARILY, WHAT I'M CONCERNED
ABOUT IS THAT BOA
AND GETTING ON THE GOLD
AND WHAT'S GOOD FOR BUSINESS
AND WHAT'S BAD FOR BUSINESS.
AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE
BEEN GOING ON AROUND HERE
AIN'T GOOD FOR BUSINESS.
STEVE -- HE TOLD ME
THAT YOU THREATENED TO THROW HIM
OFF THE BOAT OUT THERE.
BUT HE HASN'T DONE [BLEEP]
ON THAT BOAT.
SO IF HE'S GONNA CRY
'CAUSE I YELLED AT HIM,
THAT'S HIS OWN DAMN PROBLEM.
CAN'T THREATEN HIM.
CAN'T DO THAT.
IT'S NOT ALLOWED.
THESE DAYS AND TIMES,
YOU JUST CAN'T DO THAT.
STEVE IS NOT THE SHOT CALLER.
I WOULD NOT LEAVE HIM IN CHARGE.
I DOUBT IF I'D EVEN PUT HIM
IN CHARGE OF MOWING MY GRASS.
BUT SCOTT, HE'S A GNARLY DUDE.
HE NEEDS TO LIGHTEN IT UP
CONSIDERABLY.
HOW I TREAT THOSE GUYS,
90% OF IT THEY HAVE COMING.
10% OF IT, YEAH,
I'M AN [BLEEP]
Meisterheim: I DON'T NEED STEVE
ON THAT BOAT.
THERE'S ONLY ONE CAPTAIN
OF THIS BOAT, AND IT'S ME.
SO STEVE SHOULDN'T HAVE
NO SAY-SO,
NO STUPID OPINIONS, NOTHING.
DO WHAT THE [BLEEP] I TELL YOU
OR GET THE [BLEEP] OFF MY BOAT.
I KNOW HE'S STILL
GONNA PISS YOU OFF.
YOU TOLD ME THE OTHER DAY
THAT YOU MADE IT ABOU
90% THROUGH THE DAY
BEFORE YOU CAME UNCORKED.
WELL, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO MAKE
IT 100% THROUGH THE DAY.
DID YOU BRING A MUZZLE
WITH YOU?
VERN CHOSE THEM.
VERN HIRED THEM.
THEY'RE ON THE BOAT.
I'VE TRIED AND TRIED TO PISS
THEM OFF ENOUGH TO QUIT.
WHAT GOOD IS
A [BLEEP] COM SYSTEM
IF YOU AIN'T GONNA
PAY ATTENTION TO IT?!
TRYING TO [BLEEP] KILL ME,
STEVE?
[BLEEP] YOUR MOUTH.
FINALLY YOU GREW
A SET OF [BLEEP]
THEY'RE TOO STUPID TO QUIT.
OKAY, SO --
I CAN DEAL WITH ONE IDIOT,
NOT TWO.
HURTS SO BAD,
IT'LL MAKE ME PUKE.
[ GAGS ]
NO MORE DOING IT YOUR WAY.
YOUR CAPTAINCY SUCKS.
GET THE [BLEEP] OUT!
EMILY, I'VE BEEN DOING
THIS FOR YEARS!
Tenhoff: IT'S LIKE,
"TREAD LIGHTLY, EMILY.
I DON'T REALLY, REALLY ACTUALLY
NEED YOU HERE."
EMILY, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?