Narrator: NOW ON "BERING SEA GOLD"...
Kris: DAD, YOU CAN'T BREAK UP THE TEAMS!
AT THIS POINT RIGHT NOW,
EVERYTHING IS STARTING TO COME UNFRAILED.
I NEED MY BROTHER AND MY DAD TO STAND BEHIND ME.
FAMILY IS THE ONLY REASON I'M DOING THIS.
Man: THE GOLD IS THERE. I'VE SEEN IT.
NOW IT'S JUST BUILDING THE MACHINE TO GET IT.
THE FUTURE OF THE FAMILY IS AT STAKE.
I'M GOING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN NO MATTER WHAT.
Man: WHOA! SHUT IT OFF!
SHUT IT OFF!!
Emily: WE LOST ALL THIS TIME,
AND I FEAR I'LL HAVE NOTHING TO SHOW FOR ALL THE WORK
I'VE DONE UP HERE, AND THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE ME.
BLUFF IS THE ONLY THING THAT CAN SAVE THIS SEASON,
AND I NEED TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
THIS ISN'T THE CRAZIEST THING SOMEBODY'S EVER DONE FOR GOLD,
BUT IT'S PRETTY CLOSE.
WHOO!
I WISH THIS WAS SITTING IN NOME, NOT HERE IN A SWAMP.
[ ENGINE SPUTTERING, REVS ]
Man: I'LL MAKE THEM RESPECT ME IN THE END.
OH [BLEEP] MAN.
Man: OH, MAN!
THERE'S GOLD ALL OVER THE BOTTOM RIGHT HERE.
HOLY MOTHER OF [BLEEP] THAT'S SO BEAUTIFUL!
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
[ WIND WHISTLING ]
**
Narrator: THE END OF THE SEASON IS JUST WEEKS AWAY,
AND ALASKA IS POISED FOR A DAZZLING SPRING THAW.
SOME MINERS ARE CLOSER THAN EVER TO A GOLDEN BONANZA,
WHILE THE LESS FORTUNATE NEVER SAY, "DIE,"
DIGGING DEEP TO KEEP THEIR DREAMS ALIVE.
**
IN NOME...
**
Kris: WELL, WE'RE SO CLOSE,
AND NOW WE'RE SO FAR AWAY.
I'VE GOT A MILLION AND ONE THINGS TO DO TODAY.
**
...DESPITE A SERIES OF SETBACKS,
CAPTAIN KRIS KELLY STILL BELIEVES IN HIS MISSION
TO LEAD HIS FAMILY TO GOLDEN GREATNESS.
THIS IS OUR YEAR TO TURN IT AROUND.
WE'RE SO CLOSE.
Kris: AT THIS POINT RIGHT NOW,
EVERYTHING IS STARTING TO COME UNFRAILED.
WHEN YOU HIT THAT POINT, THE BREAKING POINT,
WHERE YOU'RE READY TO JUST TURN AROUND AND GO HOME,
AND THAT'S WHEN YOU REALLY HAVE TO TAKE A COUPLE BREATHS.
**
Narrator: THIS SEASON...
Kris: 9.3 OUNCES.
THAT IS THE BEST GOLD CLEANOUT WE'VE EVER HAD IN OUR LIVES.
IN OUR LIVES!
Narrator: AFTER A RECORD-SETTING START...
Man: KRIS, THE AIR!
...BUSTED EQUIPMENT...
...BAD DECISIONS...
Kris: DUDE, WHERE'S THE NIGHT CREW?
MY EQUIPMENT'S TRASHED.
Narrator: ...AND AN UNFRIENDLY NEIGHBOR...
GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU, ANDY.
...HAVE DERAILED THEIR PLANS.
EITHER YOU GUYS CAN GIVE THE STUFF UP PEACEFULLY,
OR I'LL BRING THE TROOPERS OUT.
YOU GOT MY PROPERTY RIGHT NOW.
NOW...
Kris: HE THOUGHT TAKING OUR EQUIPMENT
WAS THE KNOCKOUT BLOW AND WE'D BE DONE.
WE'RE JUST GONNA KEEP COMING BACK, LIKE ROCKY.
...KRIS IS DETERMINED TO GET THE FAMILY BACK ON TRACK.
THERE HE IS.
LET'S GO TAKE CARE OF THIS. I TOLD YOU HE WAS HERE.
BUT THERE'S A PROBLEM.
YEAH, IT'S GOING TO BE A REAL FUN DAY, NOW.
THE FORMER CAPTAIN KELLY MAY HAVE JUMPED SHIP.
DO YOU THINK WE CAN HAVE A WORD ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING?
...SLUICE ON MY SLED.
I'M GOING TO TAKE MY ENGINE,
I'M GOING TO TAKE MY HOT-WATER SYSTEM,
I'M GOING TO GO TOMORROW.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING. YOU'RE NOT TAKING IT.
WE'RE SO CLOSE TO MAKING IT.
WHAT THE [BLEEP] IS YOUR PROBLEM?
Brad: UNDER KRIS' CAPTAINCY, THE COSTS ARE ADDING UP
AND HE'S LEADING US ON A WILD GOOSE CHASE.
I CAN BREAK AWAY FROM HIM AND NOT LISTEN TO HIS BIG MOUTH
FOR A FEW MINUTES AND I CAN GO GET SOME GOLD.
THAT'S MY ROPE, TOO, YOU [BLEEP] LOSER.
EVERYTHING HERE IS MINE!
NO, IT ISN'T. YES, IT IS!
DO YOU WANT TO GO THROUGH THE INVENTORY?
YES, I DO!
Kris: NOBODY BELIEVED
I WAS GOING TO MAKE IT TO THE BLUFFS THIS YEAR.
NOBODY BELIEVED THAT WE WERE GOING TO GET AN OUNCE AN HOUR.
NOT ONE PERSON BUT ME.
THIS WINTER, I THOUGHT WE WERE ALL GOING TO DO WELL TOGETHER.
BUT I NEED TO SUCCEED, NO MATTER WHAT,
EVEN IF I DO ALL THE WORK MYSELF.
Kris: DAD! YOU CAN'T BREAK UP THE TEAMS!
**
I REALLY FEEL VIOLENT WHEN I LOOK AT HIM.
I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT'S MY FATHER.
**
[ DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE ]
Narrator: ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN...
THIS IS INSANE.
Narrator: ...CAPTAIN EMILY RIEDEL IS ROLLING THE DICE...
THIS ISN'T THE CRAZIEST THING SOMEBODY'S EVER DONE FOR GOLD,
BUT IT'S PRETTY CLOSE.
Narrator: ...JOINING THE GOLD RUSH AT THE BLUFF
IN A LAST-DITCH EFFORT TO SAVE HER SEASON.
Emily: IF THERE IS REALLY BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING GOLD THERE,
THEN I WON'T HAVE THESE REGRETS.
Narrator: SO FAR THIS WINTER...
I JUST FOUND A NICE THING OF GOLD DOWN HERE.
WOW! THAT'S AWESOME.
AFTER A HOT START...
...IT'S BEEN BAD HOLE AFTER BAD HOLE...
Emily: WE'RE NOT MAKING MONEY.
I DON'T KNOW THE HELL IT IS WE'RE DOING OUT HERE.
Narrator: ...AS EMILY WENT BUST AT HASTING'S CREEK...
Emily: I JUST THOUGHT I'D MAKE A TRIP DOWN
AND ASK YOU ABOUT GETTING OUR [BLEEP] DOWN HERE.
...AND SOON HEARD THE SIREN SONG OF GOLD AT THE BLUFF.
YOU GUYS NEED TO GET YOUR STUFF OUT HERE.
WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF DAYS.
NOW THE CAPTAIN HAS EMPTIED HER BANK ACCOUNT
TO BUY A WEEK'S WORTH OF FUEL AND SUPPLIES
TO MOUNT HER EXPEDITION.
WE ONLY HAVE SO MUCH TIME TO RECOVER GOLD
BEFORE THE STATE SHUTS US DOWN.
SO THEY'D HAVE TO BE SOME PRETTY PHENOMENAL GOLD
FOR THE RISK TO PAY OFF.
GOLD MINING IS ALL ABOUT TAKING CHANCES AND CRAZY RISKS.
**
Narrator: DESPERATE TO LAND ON BIG GOLD,
EMILY IS TAKING A PAGE FROM THE KELLY PLAYBOOK
AND SET UP SHOP RIGHT NEXT TO MR. GOLD.
Shawn: OH, HE'S GETTING READY TO GO IN THE WATER.
ABOUT TO KILL IT.
GOING TO BE AMAZING.
AMAZING GOLD DOWN THERE.
Emily: I WANT TO START REALLY SUCCEEDING UP HERE.
AND WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT ME FOR GOING THERE, LIKE,
THEY CAN ALL [BLEEP] RIGHT OFF.
I DON'T CARE.
ONE THING I DID HAVE TO LEARN IN BEING A FEMALE GOLD MINER
IN NOME IS TO NOT CARE.
I'M TRYING TO BE THE BEST GOLD MINER I CAN POSSIBLY BE.
I JUST HAVE TO PUT MY BLINDERS ON AND GO TO WORK.
**
Narrator: FIRST IN THE WATER, VETERAN DIVER JESSE STRICKLING.
HERE I GO.
**
ALL RIGHT. BACK TO WORK.
HERE WE GO.
**
YEAH!
WHOO!
**
WELL, THIS IS IT, YOU KNOW? FIRST TIME OUT HERE.
IT'S EITHER GOING TO WORK OR NOT.
**
JUST MOVED A NICE, BIG ROCK.
I'M GOING TO TAKE A PEEK UNDERNEATH IT NOW.
Emily: HEY, JESSE, HOW FAR AWAY ARE YOU
FROM THE DIVE HOLE?
UH...
PROBABLY LIKE 25 FEET OR SOMETHING.
OH, OKAY.
YOU'RE ALMOST MAXED OUT UP HERE.
ALMOST?
YEP.
I PROMISED JESSE AND RICKY.
I PROMISED THEM A SPOT WITH A LOT OF GOLD.
I MEAN, WE CAN -- THERE'S STILL SOME TIME LEFT IN THE SEASON.
WE CAN GET ONTO SOMETHING AND FOLLOW IT
AND MAKE A LOT OF OUNCES,
MAKE A LOT OF GORGEOUS, COARSE OUNCES.
OKAY.
[ SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY ]
WHAT WAS THAT?
MY REGULATOR KEEPS FREE-BLOWING ON ME.
THAT'S AN EARLY FREEZE-UP WARNING.
YEAH.
Narrator: A REGULATOR FREEZE-UP OCCURS
WHEN CONDENSATION FROM THE DIVER'S BREATH COLLECTS
AND FREEZES INSIDE THE REGULATOR,
CUTTING OFF THE FLOW OF AIR TO THE DIVER.
IF JESSE'S REGULATOR FREEZES, HE'LL HAVE MERE SECONDS
TO GET BACK TO THE SAFE EXIT OF THE DIVE HOLE.
**
BUT THAT IS NOT HIS ONLY PROBLEM.
UH, DO YOU THINK YOUR HOT WATER IS STILL RUNNING?
UM...NO.
I'M COMING BACK TO THE HOLE RIGHT NOW.
OKAY.
**
WHAT'S GOING ON?
OH [BLEEP]
Emily: IN THE WINTER TIME,
YOUR BIGGEST ENEMY IS THE WEATHER.
I MEAN, EVERYTHING'S FREEZING.
YOUR EQUIPMENT DOESN'T START BECAUSE IT'S TOO COLD.
YOUR REGULATOR IS FREEZING
AND CAUSING YOU TO HAVE DANGEROUS DIVES.
THAT'S THE REAL OBSTACLE.
Narrator: SHUT DOWN AND OFF THE GOLD...
I'M GOING TO STAY OUT HERE.
GO TO TOWN AND GET THE PARTS OF THE HOT-WATER HEATER,
COME BACK TOMORROW, WE'LL DO THIS AGAIN.
...EMILY IS FORCED TO BURN ONE OF HER PRECIOUS FEW DAYS
ON A SUPPLY RUN TO NOME.
I BELIEVE IN FIGHTING LIKE HELL FOR SOMETHING.
IT IS WHAT IT IS. WE GOT TO MOVE ON.
YOU COULD ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTIES UP HERE
THAT KIND OF THREATEN TO BREAK YOU ON A REGULAR BASIS.
I JUST CAN'T LET MYSELF BE RUN DOWN BY THEM.
**
OH, MAN, HERE COMES MY [BLEEP] DAD.
I'VE ALREADY REPLACED YOU.
Man: OH [BLEEP] WHOA.
SHUT IT OFF!
PULL! PULL!
**
[ WIND WHISTLING ]
**
Narrator: IN NOME...
**
[ DOGS BARKING ]
...A NEW DAY DAWNS.
Kris: WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO LEAVE TOMORROW,
I JUST DON'T SEE IT HAPPENING FOR US.
Narrator: CAPTAIN KRIS KELLY IS PULLING HIS OPERATION
OUT OF BROKEDOWN CITY...
HEY, ANDY, GO AND BORROW SOME WOOD.
OKAY.
...BY DIPPING INTO HIS SUMMER GEAR TO SCRAPE TOGETHER
ENOUGH EQUIPMENT TO MAKE A FINAL RUN AT THE BLUFF.
HEY, GRAB THE OTHER SIDE.
BUT AT THE MOMENT, HOUSE KELLY...
Kris: MY DAD PISSES ME OFF THAT HE'S KIND OF GIVEN UP
AND HE DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE MILLIONAIRES.
Narrator: ...IS A HOUSE DIVIDED.
Kris: I'M BITTER AT MY DAD.
HE'S 16 YEARS OLDER THAN ME, AND HE'S MY OLDER BROTHER.
THAT'S KIND OF NOT EVEN LIKE MY OLDER BROTHER.
I'VE BEEN HAVING TO KIND OF LEAD THE FAMILY
FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS.
I DON'T THINK WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE
TO GO TOMORROW, THOUGH, FOR DAMN SURE, YOU KNOW?
OH, MAN, HERE COMES MY [BLEEP] DAD.
I REALLY DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOUR [BLEEP] TODAY.
I'VE ALREADY REPLACED YOU, TOO.
LOOKIT, I JUST CAME BACK TO APOLOGIZE.
EVER SINCE WE GOT BACK FROM THIS PLACE AND SEEING SHAWN THERE,
IT'S BEEN MAKING ME A LITTLE CRAZY.
Brad: THE STRESS OF THE SEASON DEFINITELY BUILT
TO A HEAD THERE, BUT WE'RE FAMILY.
SO WE HAVE TO BE FORGIVING, RIGHT?
BUT I JUST CAME BACK TO APOLOGIZE
AND SAY THAT...
I'M WILLING TO COME BACK IF YOU'LL HAVE ME BACK.
DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND I ALREADY REPLACED YOU?
WHAT'S THAT MEAN TO ME?
NOTHING.
NO, I JUST GOT A LOT OF THINGS TO TAKE CARE OF, YOU KNOW?
LIKE, YOU'RE TAKING MY TIME AWAY.
WELL, THAT'S TOO BAD. I'M BACK.
**
OKAY, FINE.
YOU BETTER NOT PULL THAT [BLEEP] AGAIN,
AND YOU BETTER --
I WON'T. I'LL CALM DOWN. I'LL KEEP IT IN PERSPECTIVE.
YEAH. GOLD FOR THE GROUP.
GOLD FOR THE GROUP.
Kris: I DON'T EXACTLY KNOW HOW I GOT TO THIS POINT
OF HIM BEING THE MARTYR AND EVERYTHING,
BUT FAMILY IS THE ONLY REASON I'M DOING THIS.
IF I'M GOING TO BUILD ANYBODY'S LIFE UP,
IT MIGHT AS WELL BE MY FAMILY'S.
Brad: WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THICK AND THIN TOGETHER,
AND YEAH, WE FIGHT.
WE FIGHT EVERY SINGLE DAY.
I WOULDN'T CALL IT FIGHTING, BUT WE DEBATE IN AN UNUSUAL WAY.
WE COMMUNICATE. IT'S OUR FORM OF COMMUNICATION.
Narrator: AND JUST LIKE THAT, FOR BETTER OR WORSE,
THE BAND IS BACK TOGETHER AGAIN...
FOR NOW.
EVERYTHING'S EXPENDABLE THIS YEAR.
EVEN YOU.
EVERYTHING? EVERYTHING.
EVEN ME! OH, I LOVE THAT.
I LOVE A CAPTAIN WILLING TO SACRIFICE FOR THE TEAM.
Brad: WE MIGHT BE A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY,
BUT THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
**
Narrator: 180 MILES SOUTH OF NOME...
...IN THE TOWN OF ST. MARY'S, ALASKA...
Shawn: MADE IT.
...MR. GOLD, SHAWN POMRENKE,
IS CHECKING IN ON THE KEY COMPONENT
TO HIS $6 MILLION MEGA-DREDGE PLAN...
MAN, THERE IS NO SNOW HERE.
...THAT HE BELIEVES
WILL TURN THE FAMILY BUSINESS INTO A DYNASTY.
WE'RE OBVIOUSLY GOING TO WANT THIS, TOO, RIGHT?
YEAH.
PATRIARCH AND BUSINESS PARTNER STEVE POMRENKE IS ALONG
TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING GOES ACCORDING TO PLAN.
THE MEGA-DREDGE -- IT'S A WAY TO SECURE MY OWN FUTURE.
I MEAN, DAD -- I THINK HE'S GOT ENOUGH GOLD
STASHED AWAY THAT HE'S PRETTY WELL OFF,
BUT I GOTS QUITE A FEW YEARS LEFT IN ME.
AND YOU WANT TO BENEFIT,
BUT YOU WANT YOUR FAMILY TO BENEFIT.
I WANT MY KIDS TO BENEFIT.
AND I KNOW WHAT'S OUT THERE.
I'VE SEEN IT.
NOW IT'S JUST BUILDING THE MACHINE TO GET IT.
Narrator: LAST YEAR...
HOW'S IT LOOK UP THERE? HOW'S THAT DECK LOOK?
A LITTLE RUSTY.
...SHAWN LOCATED THE FOUNDATION OF HIS MEGA-DREDGE --
A 160 BY 40 FOOT, 633-TON RIVER BARGE.
OH, WE'RE USED TO OLD, RUSTY JUNK, AREN'T WE?
HE'S ALREADY POURED OVER $1 MILLION INTO THE PROJECT...
YOU GET THE STRESS THAT COMES ALONG
WITH SOMETHING THIS BIG.
WITH MORE STRESS COMES MORE PROFITS.
...AND HE'LL NEED MILLIONS MORE TO FINISH IT.
**
TIME TO GO ACROSS THE RIVER, CHECK OUT THE BARGE.
**
THE MEGA-DREDGE WILL KEEP ME AND MY GUYS
AND A BUNCH OF PEOPLE IN TOWN BUSY FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS.
THEY'LL BRING IN $75,000 EVERY DAY.
I MEAN, WE'LL BE PRINTING OUR OWN MONEY, BASICALLY.
Narrator: BUT BEFORE SHAWN CAN SETTLE INTO HIS GOLDEN FUTURE...
Shawn: THERE IT IS.
Narrator: ...HE'S GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET
THE LAND-LOCKED BARGE ACROSS THE BERING SEA TO NOME.
Steve: IN ALL HER RUSTY GLORY.
**
WELL, SHE NEEDS A PAINT JOB, BUT...
STILL SOLID.
Shawn: GOT A LOT OF WORK AHEAD OF ME
TO GET THE MEGA-DREDGE UP AND RUNNING.
BUT IT'S WHAT I LIKE.
I MEAN, DAD AND I HAVE ALWAYS HAD OLD JUNK,
AND WE ALWAYS FIX IT UP AND MAKE IT WORK.
Narrator: AND IF IT'S NOT IN SHAPE TO MAKE THE TRIP
OR IF IT NEEDS COSTLY REPAIRS,
THE PROJECT COULD BE DELAYED FOR YEARS.
STILL, IT'S, LIKE, FROZE IN THE DIRT RIGHT NOW.
HALF-SUNK.
JUST GETTING THAT BARGE DOWN THE YUKON
IS GONNA BE A FUN TRIP, FOR SURE.
Steve: I WISH THIS THING WAS SITTING IN NOME,
NOT SITTING HERE IN A SWAMP.
THAT'S WHAT I WISH. [ CHUCKLES ]
Shawn: OH, WE'LL GET HER OUT OF HERE.
**
WE NEED TO GET THIS MOTOR RUNNING
SO WE CAN PULL THE WINCHES
SO WE CAN GET THIS BARGE OUT OF THE SLOUGH.
Narrator: SHAWN'S PLAN TO FLOAT THE HIGH-AND-DRY BEHEMOTH...
Steve: THE WATER COMES UP,
AND IT GOES DOWN RIGHT AFTER THE ICE GOES OUT.
ONCE IT'S IN THE RIVER, WE'RE GOOD.
Narrator: ...TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MOTHER NATURE.
FOR JUST A FEW DAYS DURING THE SPRING THAW,
FLOOD WATERS WILL FILL THE SLOUGH WHERE THE BARGE SITS,
ALLOWING IT TO BE FLOATED INTO THE DEEPWATER CHANNEL
OF THE NEIGHBORING ANDREAFSKY RIVER.
THERE, SHAWN WILL MAKE A FINAL INSPECTION TO DETERMINE
IF THE BARGE IS SEAWORTHY FOR THE JOURNEY TO NOME.
YOU KNOW, WE GOT SUCH A SMALL WINDOW OF TIME HERE.
WE ONLY GOT WEEKS TO GET THIS OUT OF HERE.
IT'S GONNA COME DOWN TO JUST A DAY OR COUPLE DAYS.
Narrator: FOR THE PLAN TO WORK, THE TIMING MUST BE PERFECT.
Shawn: THE STARTS HAVE A NEW BEGINNING.
**
Narrator: 180 MILES NORTH...
**
YOU CAME BACK WITH FOOD, TENTS, GAS.
...KELLY UNITED IS BACK AT THE BLUFF.
WE NEED TO TURN EVERYTHING AROUND RIGHT NOW
AND FOCUS ALL OUR FORCE INTO KEEPING YOU AND I, ANDY,
UNDERNEATH THE WATER 10 HOURS,
12 HOURS A DAY, AT THE VERY MINIMUM.
AND WITH THEIR SEASON ON LIFE SUPPORT,
CAPTAIN KRIS IS SENDING DOWN HIS HEAVY HITTER.
OKAY, GET CHANGED INTO YOUR SUIT, PLEASE.
IT'S TIME TO MAKE SOME MONEY.
Kris: I'M SENDING ANDY DOWN,
AND IF HE DOESN'T MAKE MAGIC HAPPEN,
I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO.
Brad: BE CAREFUL, BUDDY.
**
OKAY.
LET'S SEE WHAT WE'RE WORKING WITH.
**
Kris: OKAY, ANDY. COME ON, MAN.
I REALLY NEED TO HEAR SOME GOOD NEWS RIGHT NOW.
TELL ME WHAT YOU'RE ON.
HMM. I DON'T SEE MUCH.
**
I JUST WANT TO SEE JUST 3/4 OF AN [BLEEP]
BUT I'M NOT SEEING IT.
**
Brad: THAT'S WEIRD, HUH?
Kris: OH, YOU'RE HERE!
THANK YOU, DAD, FOR SHOWING UP.
AND I'M STILL NOT SEEING [BLEEP]
MAN, THIS BETTER BE WORTH IT.
GO DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE!
OH, SHUT UP. DON'T STOP ARGUING WITH ME.
GOT TO LOVE CRABS, DUDE.
YEAH, UGLY [BLEEP] TOO.
Kris: RESPECT WOULD BE NICE, BUT I DON'T NEED THAT.
YOU DON'T NEED ANYTHING.
YOU JUST NEED TO GO TO WORK AND MAKE MONEY.
THAT'S ALL I NEED.
I'LL MAKE THEM RESPECT ME IN THE END BY SHOWING THEM
THAT I [BLEEP] BELONG HERE AND I'M NOT GOING AWAY EASY.
**
OKAY, I'LL SWITCH THESE POTS AROUND.
**
IT LOOKS LIKE GOLD IS IN TWO LAYERS,
AT THE VERY LEAST.
OH MY [BLEEP]
HOLY MOTHER OF [BLEEP] THERE'S MORE!
DUDE, THAT'S SO BEAUTIFUL!
Narrator: 80 MILES EAST OF NOME...
**
...AT THE BLUFF...
HOPEFULLY, WE'LL BE READY TO DIVE HERE PRETTY SOON.
Narrator: ...NOME'S ONLY FEMALE DREDGE OWNER,
CAPTAIN EMILY RIEDEL,
IS ON A MISSION TO SAVE HER SEASON.
IT'S A USED HOT-WATER HEATER THOSE GUYS GRABBED
WHEN THEY WERE IN TOWN.
Narrator: WITH HER HOT-WATER SYSTEM REPAIRED,
IT'S TIME FOR VETERAN DIVER JESSE STRICKLING
TO GET BACK UNDER THE ICE.
**
HEY, WHAT DOES THE BOTTOM LOOK LIKE?
Jesse: AROUND AN AREA THAT LOOKS LIKE
A [BLEEP] TON OF BROKEN-UP BEDROCK.
A LOT OF FLAT ROCKS IN BETWEEN BIGGER ROCKS
THAT ARE ABOUT 12 INCHES TO 20 INCHES.
THE MATERIAL DOWN THERE IS PRETTY DENSELY PACKED,
AND IT'S MORE CROWBAR MINING THAN SUCTION DRUDGING.
UGH. WOW.
ALL RIGHT.
GET HER FIRED UP.
**
YEAH.
YEAH, I PICKED UP RIGHT WHERE WE LEFT OFF.
GO DEEPER.
DEEPER?
YEP. OKAY, I'M GOING DEEPER.
**E
Emily: HOW'S THE RECEPTION WITH THE NEW PUMP?
OH, IT'S RIPPING.
RIPPING SUCTION.
TO BE A GOLD MINER, IT'S A LOT OF GAMBLING,
IT'S A LOT OF RISK-TAKING.
BUT IF YOU DIVE UP THERE LONG ENOUGH,
IF YOU WORK UP THERE LONG ENOUGH,
YOU LEARN TO READ THE GROUND,
AND YOU LEARN THAT THERE'S GOLD THERE OR THERE'S NOT.
SO, WHAT SEEMS LIKE GAMBLING
IS ULTIMATELY SKILL AND PERSEVERANCE.
I JUST FOUND A COUPLE OF THESE REAL BIG ROCKS
GOING OUT INTO THE SAND.
THERE'S A BIG DIP IN THE CLAY.
LET'S SEE IF I CAN GET CLEAR OUT AROUND THESE,
I'LL TAKE A PEEK.
YEAH, ROGER THAT.
WOULD BE REALLY NICE.
YOU'RE NOT SEEING ANYTHING ON THIS SIDE?
I'M GOING INTO THE SAND. I'M NOT SEEING ANYTHING.
**
GOLD SEEMS TO BE SPOTTIER
THAN I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE, HONESTLY.
I MIGHT JUST NEED A LITTLE BIT OUT OF THE PAY LINE.
FAILURE IS A NATURAL BYPRODUCT OF TRYING HARD TO SUCCEED.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT'S ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN.
I MEAN, SOMETIMES IT'S DARK AND DAWN DOES NOT SHOW UP.
BUT ONE THING I'VE LEARNED
IS THE GOLD DOES NOT CARE ABOUT ME AT ALL.
WELL, I GUESS I'LL WRAP AROUND
A LITTLE BIT TO THE EAST.
SEE IF I RUN INTO SOME GOOD PAY.
**
Narrator: 180 MILES SOUTH...
**
...IN ST. MARY'S, ALASKA...
Shawn: LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET THAT DAMN MOTOR GOING.
Steve: YEAH.
...SHAWN POMRENKE AND HIS FATHER, STEVE,
ARE TAKING STOCK OF THE BARGE
THAT WILL FORM THE BASE OF THE MEGA-DREDGE.
ONCE I BUILD THE MEGA-DREDGE, I'M GOING TO BE FILTHY RICH.
[ CHUCKLES ]
I'M GOING TO HAVE BIG, HUGE PILES OF GOLD.
NOT LITTLE TINY ONES.
Narrator: A GOLD-GETTING BEHEMOTH
THAT'LL PROCESS 6,088 TONS OF MATERIAL PER DAY
AND SET UP THE POMRENKE FAMILY
TO DOMINATE THE NOME GOLD GAME FOR DECADES.
I LIKE THE THROTTLE.
THAT'S A NICE THROTTLE.
**
Narrator: STEP 1 IN GETTING THE BARGE UP AND RUNNING --
MAKE SURE THE 49-YEAR-OLD ENGINE WORKS.
YEAH, DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT. LET'S JUST SEE IF IT FIRES.
HERE WE GO, SHAWN.
I GOT THROTTLE AND I GOT KILL HERE, SO...
[ ENGINE SPUTTERING ]
IT'S GONNA RUN.
IT'S A DETROIT. IT'S A GOOD OLD DETROIT.
THEY WERE SOME OF THE BEST ENGINES EVER MADE.
THEY WERE CALLED THE SCREAMING JIMMIES
'CAUSE THEY MAKE MORE NOISE THAN THEY DO POWER.
YOU'LL FIND THAT OUT, HERE, IF IT STARTS.
THIS DETROIT-MADE MONSTER IS RATED AT 240 HORSEPOWER,
AND AFTER SITTING FOR DECADES, IT NEEDS A LITTLE PICK-ME-UP...
ETHER. ETHER.
...A DOUBLE-DOSE OF STARTING FLUID.
**
[ ENGINE SPUTTERS, STARTS ]
BINGO!
THAT SOUNDED NICE.
YEAH.
WITH THE GENERATOR OPERATIONAL, STEP 2 --
SEE IF IT CAN POWER THE ANCHORING SYSTEM.
IF WE FIRE THIS THING UP TOO MUCH
AND THE VALVE'S IN THE WRONG POSITION,
IT CAN TEAR A WINCH OFF THE DECK
OR STRIP THE GEARS ON THE WINCH OR SOME SILLY THING LIKE THAT.
WE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WINCHES ARE IN NEUTRAL
BEFORE WE RUN THIS MUCH ANYMORE.
LET ME GO PUT THOSE IN NEUTRAL.
YOU NEED ME TO SHUT IT OFF, COME HOLLER, YOU KNOW.
YEAH.
[ ENGINE STARTS ]
OH, IT FIRED RIGHT UP.
**
OH [BLEEP] WHOA!
SHUT IT OFF!
WHOA! WHOA!
HEY!
**
Narrator: ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF ST. MARY'S, ALASKA...
**
[ ENGINE STARTS ]
OH, IT FIRED RIGHT UP.
**
WHOA!
SHUT IT OFF!
WHOA! WHOA!
HEY!
...MR. GOLD IS TESTING THE BARGE
THAT'LL FORM THE BASE OF HIS MEGA-DREDGE.
**
SHUT IT OFF!
[ BANGING ]
SHUT IT OFF!
HE'S TURNING THE WRONG ONE. WATCH OUT!
WATCH -- GET OUT OF THERE.
**
[ ENGINE SHUTS OFF ]
[ CREAKING ]
OOH, THAT WAS CLOSE.
THAT WINCH WAS ENGAGED, AND I COULDN'T GET IT OUT.
OH [BLEEP]
THAT WAS SCARY.
IF THE WINCH HAD CONTINUED RUNNING...
STARTED PULLING ON THAT.
IT WOULD'VE RIPPED THIS OFF, RIPPED THIS OUT,
BROKE THAT, BROKE THIS, BROKE EVERYTHING.
Narrator: ...IT WOULD'VE RIPPED APART
THE ANCHORING SYSTEM,
MAKING THE BARGE IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE
AND KILLING ANY HOPE OF BUILDING THE MEGA-DREDGE THIS SUMMER.
THAT ONE WAS STUCK ON, AND I COULDN'T GET IT.
YOU DIDN'T HEAR ME BANGING ON THE FLOOR?
Steve: YEAH, I HEARD YOU BANGING ON THE FLOOR DOWN HERE.
WITH DISASTER AVERTED...
GOT THE MOTOR FIRED UP.
...AND SYSTEMS OPERATIONAL...
WE GOT A SHORT, SHORT WINDOW WHEN THE WATER COMES UP
TO GET THIS THING OUT OF HERE, SO...
AND IT'S LOOKING LIKE THAT'S THE BEST ROUTE, RIGHT THERE.
Narrator: ...ALL THAT'S LEFT IS TO WAIT
FOR THE SPRING MELT
AND BE READY TO ACT WHEN THE WATER RISES.
ALLS THERE IS TO DO NOW IS GET THIS OUT OF HERE.
**
Narrator: 100 MILES NORTH...
**
...AT THE BLUFF...
YEAH, I CREATE HILLBILLY [BLEEP] JACUZZI.
Narrator: WITH THE IRISH FAILING TO STRIKE PAY DIRT
ON THEIR FIRST DIVE OF THE DAY...
I'VE GOT A [BLEEP] LOAD OF PEOPLE I HAVE TO PAY.
I REALLY NEED TO GET DOWN THERE
AND MAKE SOMETHING REALLY HAPPEN TODAY.
Narrator: ...CAPTAIN KRIS KELLY IS TAKING THE BULL BY THE HORNS,
DETERMINED TO KEEP HIS SEASON FROM COMING TO AN END.
A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY DON'T BELIEVE THAT I BELONG HERE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING.
A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY [BLEEP]
HOPE IN MY HEART, NO BRAIN IN MY HEAD.
RIGHT THERE GOOD FOR YOU?
I AM FEELING MORE AND MORE STRESSED OUT BY THE DAY,
AND I'M BEGINNING TO START TO FEEL DESPERATE.
AND I NEED THIS GOLD. I NEED THIS TO WORK AT ANY COST.
ALL RIGHT, JAY. YOU'RE GOOD!
**
Narrator: THE ICE MINER'S UMBILICAL
IS COMPRISED OF MULTIPLE COMPONENTS --
AIR AND HOT-WATER HOSES, A COMMUNICATIONS LINE,
AND AT ITS CORE, A SAFETY TETHER
THAT CAN BEAR THE WEIGHT OF THE DIVER
IN CASE THE TOP-SIDE CREW
NEEDS TO HAUL THEM OUT IN AN EMERGENCY.
**
OKAY, SUCTION.
I'M GOING TO WORK.
ALL RIGHT.
**
GREAT SUCTION.
**
HOW IS IT?
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I DON'T SEE.
I DON'T SEE THESE 10-OUNCE POCKETS.
I DON'T SEE THOSE, FOR SURE.
**
OH, YOU STUBBORN BITCH.
**
I'M TRYING TO BE POSITIVE,
BUT I CAN'T THINK OF A POSITIVE SPIN
TO PUT ON THIS RIGHT NOW.
**
I JUST NEED TO WORK.
I'LL GET THESE [BLEEP] ROCKS OUT.
**
I WISH I HAD THE MONEY TO...
YOU KNOW, BE COMFORTABLE.
I DON'T KNOW, I JUST...
I CAUGHT GOLD FEVER.
I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE ENORMOUS GOLD.
BUT THE SUPPLY LINE, THE MONEY,
HASSLING, TRYING TO FIX [BLEEP]
THE WONDERFUL NIGHT CREW.
YOU KNOW WHAT?
I DON'T WANT TO BLAME ANYBODY RIGHT NOW.
BUT I KNOW WE WOULD HAVE DOUBLE THE GOLD,
MAYBE TRIPLE,
BECAUSE I SPENT HALF MY [BLEEP] TIME
TRYING TO WORK OUT THIS NIGHT CREW.
OH [BLEEP] MAN. [ GRUNTS ]
AH-HA!
THERE'S GOLD HERE.
[ LAUGHS ]
LOTS OF SHELLS, LOTS OF BLACK [BLEEP]
RIGHT ONTO THE YELLOW CLAY.
IT LOOKS LIKE GOLD IS IN TWO LAYERS,
AT THE VERY LEAST.
OH, MY [BLEEP]
AMAZING GOLD.
AFTER THREE EQUIPMENT FAILURES,
THREE ROUND TRIPS TO NOME FOR PARTS,
AND ONE ABSENTEE PARENT...
...CAPTAIN KRIS KELLY FINALLY HAS THE IRISH BACK ON THE GOLD.
I SEE BETWEEN 1/2 OUNCE AND 1/3 OUNCE FOR SURE.
BUT I'M PROBABLY GETTING MORE. I DON'T KNOW.
YEAH, YOU PROBABLY ARE. IT JUST DROPS IN FROM THE WALLS.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S HOPE.
**
Kris: I HOPE TO GOD WE GET OVER 10 OUNCES RIGHT NOW.
EVERYTHING WILL BE WORTH IT. HERE WE GO.
THERE'S GOLD ALL OVER THE BOTTOM RIGHT HERE.
Emily: I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M SEEING WHAT I'M SEEING.
HOLY MOTHER OF [BLEEP] THERE'S MORE!
**
Kris: I NEVER USE THE WORD "FAILURE."
YOU COME UP WITH A HUNDRED DIFFERENT WAYS
THAT IT DIDN'T WORK.
[ LAUGHTER ]
[BLEEP]
WHEN YOU GO HOME AND THAT'S IT, THAT'S FAILING.
Kris: YEAH, WE MADE IT!
Man: YOU GUYS JUST BROKE YOUR TRAILER.
FAILING IS WHEN YOU DIDN'T MAKE ANY MONEY
AND YOU HAVE TO RUN OUT OF TOWN.
ANCHOR AWEIGH!
AH!
I DON'T FAIL. I JUST NEVER MAKE SUCCESS.
Narrator: 80 MILES EAST OF NOME...
AT THE BLUFF...
Kris: DO YOU SEE A LOT OF GOLD?
MORE GOLD THAN LAST TIME?
I KNOW IT'S HARD TO TELL.
...AFTER WEEKS OF SETBACKS, THE FIGHTIN' IRISH
ARE CLEANING PAY DIRT FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS SEASON.
Kris: WE NEED THIS GOLD.
RIGHT NOW, I HAVE NOTHING BUT DEBTS IN TOWN TO PAY.
THEY NEED THEIR MONEY BACK.
THAT'S GOLD RIGHT THERE!
Narrator: AND THEY'RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT IF CAPTAIN KRIS'
FOUR-HOUR DIVE WILL YIELD ENOUGH GOLD...
Kris: THAT'S [BLEEP] OVER 10 OUNCES.
Narrator: ...TO GET THE OPERATION BACK IN THE BLACK.
**
Kris: I HOPE TO GOD WE GET OVER 10 OUNCES RIGHT NOW,
AND THEN EVERYTHING WILL BE WORTH IT.
**
OKAY, HERE WE GO.
ALL RIGHT.
**
ALL RIGHT. HERE WE GO.
**
OKAY, WE ALREADY HAVE IT TO -- SO...
HOLY [BLEEP] THAT'S TERRIBLE.
Kris: HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?
Narrator: 4.8 OUNCES IS WORTH OVER $6,000.
WELL, THAT SUCKS.
IT'S WELL SHORT OF THE CAPTAIN'S GOAL,
BUT JUST ENOUGH TO KEEP THE MOTORS RUNNING.
AT OVER AN OUNCE AN HOUR,
IT WOULD NORMALLY BE CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION.
I NEEDED THIS GOLD CLEANOUT TO BE A GOOD ONE.
Narrator: BUT WITH THE SEASON END IN SIGHT,
TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR THE KELLYS.
MY FAMILY'S BEGINNING TO PORTRAY THE SMELL OF LOSERS.
WE LOOK LIKE A BUNCH OF [BLEEP] CLOWNS HALF THE TIME,
AND IT'S TIME FOR US TO START DOING BETTER AT MINING.
I'M SO FAR DOWN THE HOLE,
THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT IS TO GO DEEPER.
**
Narrator: ACROSS THE ICE...
DO YOU KNOW WHICH DIRECTION YOU'RE WORKING RIGHT NOW?
Jesse: TO THE EAST.
UM, CAN I GET A LITTLE BIT MORE UMBILICAL?
...AFTER AN AUDACIOUS MOVE TO THE BLUFF,
CAPTAIN EMILY RIEDEL NEEDS JUST ONE THING
TO SAVE HER SEASON...
GOLD.
YOU HIT THE MOTHER LODE YET?
**
SOME OF THIS SEA LIFE DOWN HERE
IS PRETTY COLORFUL ON THESE ROCKS.
WOW.
THIS LOOKS GREAT.
IT'S REALLY BEAUTIFUL GROUND AROUND.
THERE'S A LOT OF GARNETS, TOO.
IT'S EITHER REALLY RICH OR NONEXISTENT OUT HERE.
UGH, OW.
OH, MAN.
THERE'S GOLD ALL OVER THE BOTTOM RIGHT HERE.
**
LOOK DOWN IN HERE.
THIS WHOLE LITTLE CRACK RIGHT HERE IS FULL OF IT.
LOOK AT IT ACROSS THE BOTTOM.
IT'S COMING OUT OF THE GRAVEL HERE AND OVER HERE.
Emily: OH, NICE, DUDE.
**
THAT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE ON IT, DUDE!
YEAH, IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.
**
LET'S SEE.
YOU JUST SEE IT POURING DOWN.
HEY! THIS IS AWESOME.
THOSE ARE NICE, CHIPPY PIECES, TOO.
IT LOOKS REALLY GOOD.
**
GOLD IS JUST THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING IN THE WORLD,
AND THE FACT THAT IT'S SO FRICKING HARD
TO GET GOLD MAKES GOLD EVEN MORE SEDUCTIVE.
SO I'M GUESSING YOU'VE SEEN AWESOME GOLD
AFTER ALL THIS TIME, JESSE?
YEAH.
I'M HAVING A LOT OF FUN RIGHT NOW.
IT'S ALL OVER THE PLACE.
REALLY GOOD GOLD.
HEY, EMILY! YEAH?
I'LL BE UP THERE TO TAKE A PEEK.
YOU'RE COMING UP?
I'M GONNA SEE WHAT THIS IS LOOKING LIKE IN THE BOX.
YEAH, COPY THAT.
ALL RIGHT. HERE I GO.
**
BIG GOLD.
OH, LOOK AT THAT!
OH, IT'S SO PRETTY!
LIKE A CORN FLAKE. NICE, HUH?
OH [BLEEP] OH, MAN!
I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M SEEING WHAT I'M SEEING.
LOOK AT THAT!
IT IS EXACTLY WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT.
LIKE, THESE GLORIOUS, BIG, COARSE NUGGETS.
HOLY MOTHER OF [BLEEP] THERE'S MORE!
DUDE, THAT'S SO [BLEEP] BEAUTIFUL!
NOW THAT WE'RE OUT HERE
AND WE'RE DIVING WHEN WE'RE ON GOOD GOLD,
IT LOOKS LIKE WE MADE THE RIGHT CALL COMING OUT HERE.
THERE'S STILL SOME TIME LEFT IN THE SEASON.
WE CAN MAKE UP FOR IT.
AND THAT'S JUST THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING
IN THE WORLD TO ME.
Narrator: WITH GOLD IN THE BOX AND PROMISING GROUND BELOW,
CAPTAIN EMILY'S SEASON MAY FINALLY BE LOOKING UP.
OH, WOW. GIVE IT BACK TO ME.
I WANT TO HOLD IT A BIT MORE.
OH! IT'S SO PRETTY!
CAPTAIN EMILY AND THE FIGHTING IRISH ARE BACK ON THE GOLD.
BUT IS IT TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE?
**
Kris: WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME,
AND WE GOT TO MAKE MAXIMUM MONEY RIGHT NOW.
I OWE $14,500 RIGHT NOW, AND I CAN'T PAY ANY OF IT!
Emily: [BLEEP] I DID NOT EXPECT THIS.
Shawn: IN VEGAS TO RAISE SOME FUNDS TO GET THE MEGA-DREDGE.
ARE YOU AT THE STAGE FOR A $6 MILLION INVESTMENT,
OR IS IT THE STEVE AND SHAWN SHOW?
Man: I WANT TO FIND A NUGGET, SAM.
I'M, LIKE, HURTLING TOWARDS MY BREAKING POINT.
OH, BULL[BLEEP] THAT'S AN EXCUSE.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO [BLEEP]
ANDY! LET HIM GO!
**