Conflict and Tension Escalated on the Time Bandit ship when Captain Johnathan Hillstrand suspected crew members of using Banned Substances.
Onboard the Time Bandit, part of the perilous yet lucrative golden king crab fishing industry, Captain Jonathan Hillstrand and his brother Andy face unexpected challenges with a new crew member, McKenzie. The 28-year-old former bartender, transitioning from serving drinks to battling the Bering Sea’s harsh conditions, struggles significantly early into the season.
McKenzie, grappling with severe menstrual cramps and the physical demands of the job, finds it difficult to maintain her responsibilities on deck. Her symptoms, initially mistaken for seasickness or flu due to her vomiting and general debility, highlight a gap in the crew’s understanding of women’s health issues. This confusion leads to inefficiencies and tension among the crew, exacerbated when the Hillstrand brothers debate the impact and duration of McKenzie’s condition.
The situation aboard the Time Bandit takes a darker turn when suspicions arise that McKenzie might be using drugs, specifically fentanyl. The suspicion is triggered by a distinct smell in the bathroom, recognized by another crew member, raising serious concerns about safety and legality on the vessel. With a zero-tolerance policy for drug use on board, the captains face a tough decision.
Ultimately, the decision is made to remove McKenzie from the ship for both her inability to fulfill her duties and the unresolved drug suspicions. She is informed that she will be dropped off at St. George and flown back to Dutch Harbor, a resolution that leaves the crew with mixed feelings about the ordeal.
