In February, two boats from Anacortes, Wash. -- the Americus and Altair -- sank, killing 14 men. Over the next few weeks, various incidents involving other fishing vessels would take the lives of 30 fishermen.

But not every story from that wicked crab season has a sad ending. Along with the death and despair, there was heroism and hope.

The Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" show devoted an entire episode this season to the sinking of the Seattle-based Katmai. The vessel went down in the Bering sea this past October, killing seven of the 11 crew members.

The sudden sinking and loss of life hit home for deckhand Corey Eisenbarth, who works on the Cornelia Marie.

Twenty-six years ago, Eisenbarth was an 18-year-old greenhorn on a boat called the Seahawk, which sank in the Bering Sea. The six crew members were left fighting for their lives.

"Well, we just gathered up barrels and pallets and buoys and all this stuff that was floating on the water... we gathered it all together and made like a raft and then climbed up on top of that just to keep our heads out of the water," Eisenbarth said.

"Body temperatures were down to like 86 degrees, which is right about the time where you go unconscious," he said.

"It was almost like you were sleepy... it wasn't like you were in pain at the time. You almost felt like everything was gonna be okay, even though we were were actually kind of dying."

The Coast Guard cutter Boutwell was in the area and spotted Corey and his crewmates linked together floating in their survival suits.

"A 375-foot Coast Guard cutter has got a pretty imposing bow on it when it's coming at you," Eisenbarth said. "But they turned to avoid us and pulled right up to us, it actually worked out real good."

Cory never knew the captain of the cutter that saved his life -- until Sunday, when the two met in Seattle with an embrace and exchange of thanks.

Captain Peter Joseph saved hundreds of people in his time with the Coast Guard, but didn't have a chance to get to know them.

"We were so busy that I never met them, never saw any of them," Joseph said. "I don't like, as a captain, walking in there as if I'm supposed to be something special."

But when he heard Eisenbarth talking about his rescue on the "Deadliest Catch," he made a call.

"I left a message on his recorder that said 'if you're the gentleman that went over on the capsized Seahawk in 1983 I'd like to talk to you," Joseph said.

On Sunday, Eisenbarth introduced his 18-year-old daughter to Captain Joseph and his wife.

"It could have been over for me at 18," Eisenbarth said. "We were laying out there in the water and I was thinking about all of the things I was missing. I didn't even know what was to come for me.

"I'm just so grateful. I can't even hardly illustrate how much gratitude I feel."

Then the captain gave Eisenbarth something to remember the day he was plucked from the frigid Bering Sea.

"This is the flag that flew over the Boutwell the day we rescued you," Joseph said while unfolding a tattered U.S. flag. "I'd like to have you have it."

Captain Peter Joseph devoted his live to saving lives. Sunday was confirmation of a job well done.

"It's great," he said. "Especially meeting his daughter, knowing he's done well. Two of the five survivors went back to sea and didn't make it. It's a very dangerous occupation. I'm just glad we could be there."