“Oh, I’m being safe,” Meadows replied.
Moments after that call, he fell to his death.
Todd Meadows was the newest member of the Aleutian Lady crew. Photo / Paige Knutson
During a confessional, he had told producers that joining the crew had been one of his “dreams and goals”.
“That’s why I’m up here to make it and to try to support my family,” he said.
Meadows, whose children were only aged 1, 2 and 4 at the time, said it was “a heart-wrencher” to work on the boat away from family because his youngest don’t understand why he is gone.
The confessional scene aired during the finale just before the show aired the moments right after he fell into the sea, showing the crew’s desperate attempts to rescue him.
Todd Meadows died while fishing on the Bering Sea. Photo / Rick Shelford
The 25-year-old died of “drowning with probable hypothermia” and “submersion of body in cold water,” according to his death certificate.
Deadliest Catch is set in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia, one of the most dangerous places in the world to fish, according to National Geographic. In winter, the water temperature goes below freezing, the air nears -10C and the boats are buffeted by howling winds.