ON February 9th, 2010, Captain Phil of the crabbing vessel Cornelia Marie passed away from an aneurysm from suffering a severe stroke on board the ship. He was known by many as a hardened captain, but to those close to him and who understood him, he had a soft heart and cared for those around him. I made this poem in his honor... and though I doubt it will be read by many, for the hope that just a few read it to understand him. And the day that the Cornelia Marie leaves harbor without Phil, will be one of the saddest. R.I.P Phil Harris. We miss you. as well as all the men lost on the Bering Sea.

The actual poem is here below.

I’ve sailed these seas,
For longer than it seems,
Every crab that comes now,
Put it in the bow,

I’ve sailed these seas,
For better or for worse,
I’ve seen men fall,
I’ve seen men not make it at all.

I’ve sailed these seas,
All my long life,
To see the Bering Sea’s gold
I never had to be told,

I’ve seen my sons,
Grow from boys to men,
And now I lay down,
As one lays there.

I’ve watched many men,
Come and go,
And even I know,
Now’s my time to go,

I do not fear,
What comes next,
For I have sailed these seas,
Even in the coldest months,

Even as I lay here now,
Memories flow by,
And time stands still,
But I do not fear,

My time is here,
But lest not forget,
I have fished my best,
And no sailor could doubt,

My time is now,
I’ve put away the gear,
And finally steered,
Towards lands final call,

But don’t forget,
That I have watched,
I have done,
What few have ever done,

Don’t forget,
That my life is now,
At its final day,
All the crab are put away,

So even now,
As my eyes close one last time,
Don’t you dare mourn for me,
Cause I’ll still be crabbing.

Come hell or high water,
Come rough seas and winds,
Come typhoons and ice,
I’ll still be crabbing.