The f/v Ramblin’ Rose is shown here docked at Pier 39 in Astoria prior to the start of the 2023 Dungeness crab season on the north Oregon coast on Feb. 1.
The boat had a full load of 800 Dungeness crab pots to drop for two local license holders who run their own smaller boats once the harvest begins. The crew are shown loading bait shortly before departing.
Oregon Fish and Wildlife had originally predicted an opening date of Dec. 1, but that was delayed after tests showed crabs had too little meat yield as well as elevated levels of domoic acid.
Last year, this fishery generated about $170 million, making it the biggest earner for the West Coast commercial fishing fleet.
The Ramblin’ Rose was built in 1990 by Giddings Boatworks in Charleston, Oregon. It has a length of 92.4 feet and beam 24 feet. It was featured in the 2011 season of the reality show “Deadliest Catch.” It is homeported in Cathlamet, Washington, a small town 20 miles upstream of Astoria.