The Sea Fell Silent for Nick Mavar’s Last Song — A Heart-Wrenching Farewell Echoes One Last Time

Deadliest Catch’s Nick Mavar, who died in June, has a spirit that still lives on. The Discovery Channel former cast member was a deckhand for 16 years, and his voice can be heard on the series.

Nick Mavar died of a heart attack in June 2024, as confirmed by his wife, Julie. The Deadliest Catch star’s voice was instantly recognized by fans, which still plays despite sadly no longer being here.

Nick Mavar died doing what he loved

Nick Mavar died in June. His nephew, Jake Anderson, said Mavar had a heart attack while on a ladder at a boatyard in Naknek, Alaska, where he ran his fishing operation, and fell onto a dry dock.

The 59-year-old was pronounced dead after police received a 911 call that he had suffered a medical emergency at the Naknek boatyard. The F/V Northwestern deckhand was transported to a local hospital.

He later died of natural causes, before the recent season of Deadliest Catch was filmed. Mavar had been battling health issues in recent years, including a previous heart attack and cancer.

His voice heard on Deadliest Catch

Although he is no longer with us, Nick’s voice can be heard on Deadliest Catch. Every time there’s an empty pot, the words, “Oh no,” are played in the background – and it’s Mavar’s phrase.

One fan said, “Anybody else notice the same voice either saying “Oh noooo” or just “Noooo” whenever they pull up a blank, but it’s the same voice on all the boats? I’ve noticed this for years.”

The traditional soundbite is a tribute to Mavar’s 16 years on the show. Regardless of which boat has an empty pot, every single episode plays the audio of his voice without fail.

It’s not just when the pot is empty that his voice is heard. When the success happens, his throaty voice is heard shouting, “YEEEEAAAAHHHH!!” when there’s a pot full of crab too.