Bering Sea Gold (2012–…): Season 4, Episode 3 - Namby-Pamby Mugwumps - full transcript

The summer mining season heats up and everyone is feeling the pressure to get gold. A near-fatal mishap and personnel problems plague the fleet, proving once again that the Bering Sea doesn't give up her gold easily.

WAIT TILL IT STOPS!
HEY!

NO, YOU DIDN'T.

IT WAS BOUNCING AND YOU
REACHED BA-- I WATCHED IT.

YOU GUYS DON'T WANT
TO START LISTENING.

I'LL JUST SHUT THIS WHOLE
[BLEEP] THING DOWN AND SELL IT.

THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO.

Man: OH, MY GOD!
LOOK OUT!

♪ I HEARD ABOUT A FORTUNE
TO BE MADE ♪

♪ AND I'M A-GONNA GET IT,
NOW, JUST YOU WAIT ♪

♪ GOLD

Narrator: NOME, ALASKA.



THIS HAS HISTORICALLY
BEEN A GREAT MINING AREA.

A LOT OF OUNCES OF GOLD CAME OUT
OF THIS NECK OF THE WOODS.

NARRATOR: THE 116-YEAR-OLD
GOLD RUSH IS STILL GOING STRONG.

Steve: THERE'S SOMETHING
ABOUT BEING A MINER.

I DON'T KNOW
WHAT THE HELL IT IS.

IT'S A TREASURE HUNT
EVERY DAY -- THAT'S MINING.

Narrator:
IN A TOWN THAT ONCE PRODUCED

A 182-OUNCE GOLD NUGGET,

THE SEARCH FOR THE MOTHER LODE
RAGES ON.

TOSS IT
AND RUN DOWN HERE.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT MINING

IS THAT IT'S ENTIRELY BASED
ON THE SELF --

YOU CAN EITHER MAKE GREAT THINGS
HAPPEN FOR YOURSELF

OR YOU CAN FAIL.



IT'S A GAMBLE,
BUT IT'S AN EXCITING GAMBLE.

Hank: MY FORTUNE
IS AT STAKE RIGHT NOW.

I'VE INVESTED ALL MY MONEY
IN THIS THING.

FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.

Narrator: IN A SHORT
SUMMER DREDGING SEASON,

CALM SEAS AND CLEAR SKIES

MEAN THE BERING SEA...
IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

IT'S LOOKING REALLY GOOD.

HOPEFULLY WE CAN JUST
KEEP IT GOING HERE.

Narrator:
AS MINERS HIT THE WATER,

EVERY TRIP COULD BE THE BEST DAY
OF THEIR LIVES.

MILLIONS AND MILLIONS
OF DOLLARS WORTH OF GOLD

WAITING FOR US OUT THERE.

SO ALL WE GOT TO DO
IS JUST GO OUT THERE,

WALK AROUND ON THE BOTTOM,
AND SUCK IT UP.

Narrator:
ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF NOME...

Steve: THE BUCKET PINS
LOOK ALL BRAND-NEW.

YOU KNOW,
THE BUCKETS ARE IN GOOD SHAPE.

THE [BLEEP] TIRES
ARE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.

Narrator: ...FATHER AND SON,
STEVE AND SHAWN POMRENKE,

KICK THE TIRES ON A PAIR
OF 101-TON EARTHMOVERS.

THE ENGINE'S GOT 12 CYLINDERS,
ONE CYLINDER IS NOT PERFECT.

Narrator:
FOR 62-YEAR-OLD STEVE...

I'M GOING INLAND MINING.
THAT'S WHERE MY HEART IS.

THAT'S WHAT I LOVE TO DO.

ARE YOU IN
ON THE INLAND MINING OR OUT?

Narrator: ...STARTING A NEW
INLAND-MINING VENTURE

SITS ATOP HIS BUCKET LIST.

Shawn: I'M PRETTY NERVOUS
ABOUT THE INLAND MINING.

BEING A GOLD MINER,
YOU COULD END UP BEING HOMELESS.

Narrator:
BUT HIS SON SHAWN IS RELUCTANT

TO PUT THEIR HARD-EARNED GOLD
AT RISK.

Steve: A LOT OF PEOPLE RETIRE
WHEN THEY'RE 62,

AND RETIRING MEANS YOU SHOULD BE
ABLE TO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

WELL, THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO.
I WANT MY ONE LAST HURRAH.

Shawn: MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS,

GO OUT AND YOU START SPENDING
$25,000, $30,000 A WEEK IN FUEL,

YOU CAN LOSE A HELL
OF A LOT OF MONEY IN A HURRY.

AND ALL THIS HARD WORK
AND EVERYTHING WE'VE WORKED FOR

COULD BE GONE
IN A MATTER OF MONTHS.

Steve: WOW.

THAT'S LIKE A PACKAGE
RESPONSIBILITY FROM HELL.

WHEN YOUR WHEEL BEARING GOES OUT
IN YOUR CAR, YOU PAY 300 BUCKS.

WHEEL BEARING GOES ON THIS,
IT'S 5,000, 10,000 BUCKS.

THE TIRES ARE 20,000 BUCKS
APIECE NOW.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR OIL LEAKS
ON THE MAIN BOOM CYLINDERS.

OILS LEAK IN THERE,

YOU'RE TALKING 20,000,
25,000 BUCKS FOR A REBUILD.

THEY LOOK LIKE A GOOD DEAL,
SO WE'RE GETTING THEM.

Shawn:
YOU GET ONE BIG PIECE,

YOU GOT TO HAVE
ANOTHER BIG PIECE,

AND THEN YOU GOT TO BUY
ANOTHER BIG PIECE

BECAUSE YOU HAVE ANOTHER,

TWO OTHER, THREE OTHER BIG
PIECES -- BIG INVESTMENT.

THIS MACHINE'S
GOT THE MOTOR OUT OF IT,

AND YOU'RE LOOKING
AT A PRETTY PENNY

JUST TO GET IT
UP AND RUNNING.

YEAH, BUT YOU GOT
STEVE POMRENKE --

HE REBUILDS THINGS
THE CHEAPEST POSSIBLE WAY.

ONCE YOU SEE HOW MUCH
GOLD'S ON THAT GROUND

THAT WE'RE GONNA BE DIGGING,
YOU'LL BE [BLEEP] YOUR PANTS.

IF I WORK A LITTLE BIT HARDER TO
GET A BRAND-NEW DOZER FOR HIM,

IF I CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN,

AND MAKE HIS LAST RUN
THE BEST THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN,

THEN I GOT HIS BACK.

[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]

WE GOT TO BUY THEM.
WE GOT TO BUY THEM.

Narrator: TO SECURE
THE EQUIPMENT FOR HIS OLD MAN,

SHAWN AND THE CHRISTINE ROSE

WILL HAVE TO PULL 5 POUNDS
OF GOLD OUT OF THE BERING SEA.

BACK IN TOWN...

...OVER AT BELMONT BEACH...

HERE WE GO.

...FOUR WEEKS INTO THE SEASON,
WHAT'S LEFT OF THE KELLY FAMILY

IS FINALLY LAUNCHING
THEIR DREDGE.

Brad: IT'S SAD ANDY'S GONE.
THIS IS A GOOD BUSINESS.

HE SHOULD BE HERE WORKING.

SIX DAYS AGO...

I HOPE YOU AND MY BROTHER
LIVE GREAT.

YEAH, ANY TIME.

...ANGERED OVER HIS FATHER'S
NEW FAMILY...

I'M SO DONE.

...BRAD'S SON ANDY
QUIT THE REAPER,

LEAVING HIS DAD AND BROTHER
HIGH AND DRY.

ANDY REALLY PISSES ME OFF.
HE'S A [BLEEP] LOSER.

YOU KNOW, I WANT TO GO HOME
TO HAWAII, TOO,

BUT I WANT TO GO HOME
WITH A POCKET FULL OF MONEY,

NOT GO HOME BROKE.

I CAN'T BELIEVE HE ABANDONED ME

AND [BLEEP] I'M ALWAYS TAKING
CARE OF HIM.

YOU KNOW, NOW I'M STUCK
WITH MY DAD THIS WHOLE TIME.

WE'RE GOING OUT
TO THE WEST REC AREA.

WE JUST GOT TO GET ON THE GOLD.
IF YOU NEED TO MOVE, WE'LL MOVE.

Narrator:
DOWN TO JUST TWO KELLYS,

THE LITTLE DREDGE
IS HEADED FULL SPEED

TO THE WEST BEACH
PUBLIC MINING AREA...

WE CAN STAY IN THE REC AREA,
AND I'M GUARANTEED

TO MAKE A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS
A DAY JUST [BLEEP] AROUND HERE.

ARE YOU GOING
AS FAST AS YOU CAN GO?

Narrator:
...OF COURSE, ON THE REAPER,

"FULL SPEED" IS A RELATIVE TERM.

WE'RE JUST --
THE ASS-END OF THE BOAT

IS DRAGGING TOO MUCH
OF THE WATER.

DAD DOESN'T WANT TO SPEND
ANY MONEY ON ANYTHING.

IT HAS NO FLOATS ON THE HOSE,
IT HAS NO LADDER.

THERE'S NO DOOR -- OUR CABIN
IS BASICALLY A WIND TUNNEL.

THE THING LOOKS LIKE A LOWRIDER.

THE BACK OF IT
SITS RIGHT INTO THE WATER,

AND WE'RE JUST
THE LAUGHINGSTOCK

OF THE OCEAN SOMETIMES.

Brad: I'M TRYING TO SAVE
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE,

LEAVE HERE WITH A BUNCH OF CASH
IN MY POCKET.

I ALWAYS SAY I'M BROKE.

THAT'S THE RULE OF THUMB --

ALWAYS SAY YOU'RE BROKE,
NEVER BE BROKE.

ANCHOR AWAY!

[ MOTOR REVVING ]

KRIS IS GETTING READY TO DIVE.

OUR GOAL FOR TODAY
IS A COUPLE OUNCES.

WE WANT TO GET AS MUCH GOLD
AS POSSIBLE.

HAVING THIS NEW BABY HAS CHANGED
MY WHOLE OUTLOOK ON MONEY.

YOU GOT A GOOD WOMAN, YOU GOT TO
HAVE A LOT OF MONEY, YOU KNOW.

WHEN YOU HAVE THIS NEW FAMILY,
IT MOTIVATES YOU.

NOW I'M MOTIVATED
LIKE I WAS 20 YEARS OLD AGAIN.

YOU KNOW, I'M ON THE STRAIGHT
HUSTLE TO GO TO THE TOP NOW.

KRIS, YOU'RE OUR NUMBER-ONE
GOLD GUY NOW, MAN,

AND I'M REALLY DEPENDING
ON YOU.

Narrator: EXPECTING A CHILD
IN THE FALL AT THE AGE OF 52,

BRAD NEEDS HIS FIRST BORN
TO HIT PAY DIRT.

YEAH, EVERYTHING'S GOOD.

Kris: OKAY, THE GROUND
ALREADY LOOKS WEIRD.

IT LOOKS LIKE
I'M ON KIND OF A SANDBAR.

AND THEN THERE'S LIKE PATCHES
OF COBBLE EVERYWHERE.

SWEET, MAYBE YOU CAN FOLLOW
THE COBBLE INTO THE GOLD.

YEAH, WELL, LET'S HOPE.

DOES IT LOOK LIKE
THE LOOFAH SPOT?

YEAH, IT LOOKS LIKE
THE LOOFAH SPOT.

Narrator: IN THE HEAVILY WORKED
PUBLIC REC AREA,

KRIS MUST SEARCH FOR GROUND
THAT APPEARS UNTOUCHED

BY DECADES OF OTHER DREDGERS.

SEE, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE CALLING
THE LOOFAH ROCK AREA,

IS BECAUSE WHEN I FIND THIS,

I FIND THAT THE GROUND
UNDERNEATH IT

HASN'T BEEN WORKED YET.

SO IT'S NOT GUARANTEEING
THAT THERE'S GOLD THERE,

IT'S JUST GUARANTEEING THAT THE
GROUND HASN'T BEEN WORKED YET.

IT KIND OF LOOKS
LIKE A LOOFAH SPONGE, HUH?

KIND OF.

YEAH, LET'S PRAY FOR A LOT
OF GOLD IN THE BOX, THEN.

I HOPE SO.
THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING DOWN HERE.

AND NOT BEEN WASTING MY TIME.

WELL, I HOPE HE FINDS GOLD.

THERE'S A GOOD DESCRIPTION
OF THE BOTTOM NOW.

I WANTED TO HEAR A
"YEAH, I'M FINDING GOLD."

ONE HOT SPOT IS ALL IT TAKES TO
MAKE YOUR SEASON -- THAT'S IT.

Narrator:
AS KRIS' SEARCH BEGINS,

6 MILES TO THE WEST,
ON THE TOMCOD CLAIM...

FIRST BUCKET OF THE DAY.
HERE WE GO.

Narrator: OWNER HANK SCHIMSCHAT
AND DECKHAND STAN MILLER

ARE FIRING UP THE 80-FOOT,
96-TON GOLD GRABBER.

HOPEFULLY
THERE'S SOME GOLD HERE.

WE'RE JUST GONNA KEEP AT IT.
GOT TO KEEP TRYING.

Narrator: AFTER A 25-YEAR CAREER
RUNNING A CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS,

HANK CASHED OUT AND SUNK HIS
RETIREMENT INTO THE MEGA-DREDGE.

Hank: MY WHOLE FAMILY THOUGHT I
WAS CRAZY FOR GOING GOLD MINING.

YOU KNOW, GOT CLOSE TO A MILLION
DOLLARS INVESTED IN THIS,

BUT I'VE ALWAYS BEEN SUCCESSFUL
WITH EVERYTHING I'VE DONE.

Narrator: NOW, WELL
INTO HIS SOPHOMORE SEASON,

HANK'S RECOVERED
JUST 12 OUNCES OF GOLD --

BARELY ENOUGH TO COVER
THE OVERHEAD ON HIS OPERATION.

Hank:
WELL, WE GOT TO GET ON THE GOLD.

WE GOT TO STAY ON THE GOLD.
WE GOT TO FOLLOW THE GOLD.

MIGHT HAVE BEEN DREDGED, BUT
WE'LL FIND OUT HERE IN A MINUTE.

BOY, THIS IS
A LEARNING EXPERIENCE.

Narrator: LAST SUMMER, IN HIS
FIRST YEAR ON THE BERING SEA...

YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT REALLY
ON THE GOLD LIKE I WANT TO BE.

THEY'RE DIGGING
RIGHT WHERE I DUG IT ALL OUT.

THAT'S FUNNY.

Narrator:
...HANK SPENT TOO MUCH TIME

MINING GROUND
THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN WORKED.

SO DISAPPOINTING.

NOW, TO AVOID GOING BANKRUPT...

Hank: OKAY, STANLEY.
HEY, SEE IF WE GOT SOME COLOR.

...HE CAN'T AFFORD
TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES.

A LOT OF MINERS,
THEY DO GO BROKE,

BUT I GOT A PRETTY GOOD HEAD
ON MY SHOULDERS,

I CAN THINK AHEAD,
I CAN LOOK AHEAD,

I CAN SEE WHAT I GOT TO DO,

WHAT CHANGES I GOT TO MAKE,
AND I'M COMMITTED.

WE'RE GONNA MOVE,

'CAUSE I THINK I CAN FIND
SOME BETTER GOLD,

BUT WE'RE JUST GONNA MOVE OVER.
WE'RE GONNA MOVE OVER.

EVERYBODY AND THEIR MOTHER'S
DIGGING OUT HERE.

Narrator:
WITH THE TOMCOD CLAIM

PLAYING HOST
TO NEARLY 30 DREDGES,

AVOIDING PICKED-OVER GROUNDS
IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

YOU GET THESE LITTLE DREDGES
WORKING OUT HERE,

AND THEN THESE GUYS ARE
ICE-DIVING OUT HERE, TOO, NOW,

SO WE'RE KIND OF RUNNING INTO A
LOT OF PEOPLE WORKING OUT HERE.

IT'S GETTING STRESSFUL FOR ME.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER
I CAN DO THIS.

WE'RE GONNA PULL
THE SPUD UP,

AND WE'RE GONNA SWING THE BOAT
OVER THERE.

Narrator: TO MOVE THE BARGE
BACK ONTO THE GOLD,

HANK MUST FIRST
LIFT A 3-TON STABILIZING SPUD

OFF THE OCEAN FLOOR.

WAIT TILL IT STOPS!

HEY!
WAIT TILL IT STOPS.

THAT'S THE WORST TIME
THAT THAT THING COULD FALL.

WAIT TILL IT STOPS, STAN.

NO, YOU DIDN'T.

IT WAS BOUNCING,
YOU REACHED BA-- I WATCHED IT.

THE GUYS DON'T WANT
TO START LISTENING.

I'LL JUST SHUT THIS WHOLE
[BLEEP] THING DOWN AND SELL IT.

THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO.

Man: OH, MY GOD!
LOOK OUT!

Narrator: 7 MILES WEST OF NOME
HARBOR ON THE GOLD GRABBER...

WAIT TILL IT STOPS!
HEY!

WAIT TILL IT STOPS.

THAT'S THE WORST TIME
THAT THAT THING COULD FALL.

WAIT TILL IT STOPS, STAN.

NO, YOU DIDN'T.

IT WAS BOUNCING,
YOU REACHED BA-- I WATCHED IT.

THE GUYS DON'T WANT
TO START LISTENING.

I'LL JUST SHUT THIS WHOLE
[BLEEP] THING DOWN AND SELL IT.

THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO.

Man: OH, MY GOD!
LOOK OUT!

[ GROANS ]

I'M STRESSED OUT AND
I'VE JUST ABOUT [BLEEP] HAD IT.

I'M JUST ABOUT DONE HERE.

WHEN IT STARTED TO GO,
I WENT DOWN, I LAID IT DOWN,

IT WAS PERFECT,
BUT...IT'S TOO STRESSFUL.

Narrator:
AS HANK RAISED THE SPUD,

HE MISJUDGED ITS POSITION,

NEARLY TAKING OUT HIMSELF
AND DECKHAND STAN MILLER.

I THOUGHT I WAS IN THIS PEN,
I WAS ACTUALLY IN THIS PEN,

RAISE IT UP
TO THE NEXT PEN, BOOM.

THERE IS NO STOPPING THIS THING.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE
A PILE-DRIVING HAMMER,

IT'LL JUMP OUT ON YOU, SO
YOU GOT TO BE KIND OF CAREFUL.

Narrator:
WITH THE SPUD ON THE DECK,

MINING HAS COME
TO A CRASHING HALT.

I THINK I CAN GET IT
IN THERE, MAYBE.

WE GOT TO PICK IT UP, THEN
WE CAN MUSCLE IT IN BY HAND.

THEN WE'RE GONNA PLAY
WITH IT A LITTLE BIT.

IT'S GONNA BE A LITTLE BIT
DANGEROUS,

SO WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO BE
VERY, VERY CAREFUL HOW WE DO IT.

UNWILLING TO STOP WORKING,

HANK IS ROLLING THE DICE
ON A RISKY AT-SEA REPAIR.

I FEEL THAT I'M PRETTY TALENTED
ON THE EXCAVATOR.

YOU KNOW,
I HAD AN EXCAVATION COMPANY,

DID WATER AND SEWER
FOR 13, 14 YEARS.

THOSE THOUSANDS OF HOURS
ON HEAVY EQUIPMENT --

IT'S PAID OFF FOR WHAT I DO
OUT HERE ON THE OCEAN.

Narrator: A JOB THAT
NORMALLY REQUIRES A CRANE --

HANK WILL NEED ALL HIS SKILL
TO GENTLY GUIDE THE MASSIVE SPUD

INTO A SLEEVE
JUST 20 INCHES IN DIAMETER.

WE'RE GONNA BLOW A HOLE IN HERE
AND PUT A SHACKLE ON IT,

SO IT DOESN'T SLIP OFF.

Narrator: THE FIRST STEP --

CUTTING A HOLE
IN THE EXCAVATOR BUCKET

TO SECURE THE FALLEN SPUD
WITH A CHAIN.

Hank: ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GET THIS SON OF A BITCH
IN, SO WE CAN GO MINE.

JUST STAND BACK
AND I'LL GET IT IN.

I TOOK IT OUT,
I CAN PUT IT IN.

PERFECT!

WE GOT IT.
WE GOT IT.

THAT'S ALL THAT COUNTS
IS WE GOT IT

AND NOW WE'RE GONNA GO MINING.

I MEAN, HE GUIDED THAT THING
DOWN AT THE BEST POSSIBLE SPOT.

Narrator: CRISIS AVERTED,

AND THE SPUD
SUCCESSFULLY BACK IN ITS SLEEVE,

HANK CAN CONCENTRATE
ON MOVING DIRT.

ALL RIGHT, NOW WE'RE BACK
TO SQUARE ONE.

NOW WE JUST GOT
TO GET ON THE GOLD.

IT'S DANGEROUS OUT THERE.

I'M JUST GLAD
THAT NOBODY GOT HURT.

IT'LL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN,
THAT'S FOR DAMN SURE.

Narrator:
BACK IN THE HARBOR...

NIGHT CREW BEEN UP
ALL NIGHT DIGGING,

SO WE'RE GONNA GO RELIEVE THEM.

Narrator: ON A MISSION
TO GRAB A 100 GRAND IN GOLD

FOR HIS OLD MAN'S
INLAND MINING GEAR,

SHAWN POMRENKE
IS SKIFFING OUT TO WORK.

DAD'S ALWAYS NOT
REALLY LIKED THE OCEAN MINING.

WE'RE BUYING ALL KINDS
OF EQUIPMENT FOR INLAND MINING,

BUT INLAND MINING...
IF YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT GROUND,

YOU CAN MAKE A HELL
OF A LOT OF MONEY, QUICK.

Narrator: WHILE SHAWN AND HIS
DAD WENT LOADER SHOPPING,

NIGHT BOSS CODY MOEN HAS KEPT
THE CHRISTINE ROSE DIGGING.

WE'RE ON SOME REALLY ROUGH
DIGGING RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S BIG BOULDERS AND CLAY
AND REALLY NICE-LOOKING STUFF.

THERE'S TWO SHIFTS
ON THIS DREDGE --

IT'S A 24-HOUR OPERATION.

YOU GOT TO HAVE A GUY
RUNNING THE DAY CREW,

AND YOU GOT TO HAVE A GUY
RUNNING THE NIGHT CREW.

CODY, HE'S YOUNG
AND HE'S HUNGRY. GREAT KID.

I NEED EVERYBODY
ON THEIR "A" GAME

BECAUSE IT'S SUCH
A SHORT MINING SEASON.

Cody: TAKE A LOOK-SEE.

HOPEFULLY,
THERE'S SOME GOLD IN HERE.

HOLY [BLEEP]

DUDE, IT'S THE BIGGEST NUGGET
I'VE SEEN.

Man: IT'S THE BIGGEST NUGGET
OF THE SEASON, YEAH.

YEAH.
WE [BLEEP] KILLED IT.

LOOK AT HOW THICK
THE GOLD IS IN THERE.

WE DUG
FOR ABOUT 11 STRAIGHT HOURS.

WE GOT SOME NICE NUGGETS,

AND I KNOW THERE'S SOME COARSE
GOLD UP IN THE TOP OF THAT BOX.

THIS AREA THAT SHAWN GOT US
ON HERE IS LOADED,

AND WE GOT LOTS OF ROOM STILL
TO DIG.

Shawn:
PILES AND PILES OF GOLD.

ONE THING IS FOR SURE,

WE ARE GONNA BE DOING A CLEANUP
BECAUSE WE DO NEED MONEY.

DAD MIGHT ACTUALLY GET
THAT DOZER, AFTER ALL.

IF I CAN KEEP THIS PACE UP,
WE'LL HAVE ALL THAT EQUIPMENT

TO GO INLAND MINING
AND GO HIT IT BIG.

WE'VE HAD GOOD YEARS
INLAND MINING AND BAD YEARS,

AND BEFORE WE COME OUT
TO THE OCEAN,

THERE WAS QUITE A FEW BAD YEARS
OF INLAND MINING.

BUT WE GOT SOME GOOD GROUND
THAT DAD'S TALKING ABOUT --

I COULD SEE IT PAYING OFF BIG.

WANT TO JUST RUN, RUN, AND RUN.

Narrator:
WITH THE BARGE ON GOOD GOLD

AND INLAND MINING EQUIPMENT TO
SECURE, FOR SHAWN, IT'S GO-TIME.

Shawn: READY TO ROCK 'N' ROLL.
GO DO ANOTHER RUN HERE.

WE GOT SOME BIG NUGGETS
LAST NIGHT,

SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN PUT
A COUPLE MORE IN THERE TODAY.

NUGGETS MEAN YOU'RE IN THE GOLD,
SO WE JUST NEED TO CONTINUE

PUTTING DIRT
THROUGH THE WASH PLANT.

THE MORE DIRT
WE PUT THROUGH THERE,

THE MORE GOLD WE'RE GONNA GET.

WOW, THIS STUFF IS LOOKING GOOD.

IT LOOKS ALL SLIMY, BLACK,
GOOEY, GOLD-CATCHING MATERIAL.

JUST GONNA KEEP CLEARING OUT
THIS WHOLE AREA.

WE'RE GONNA TAKE EVERYTHING,
MINE EVERYTHING.

DAD JUST DROPPED $100,000,

SO I'M UNDER THE GUN
TO GET MORE GOLD.

Narrator: WITH SHAWN
DIGGING HIS WAY OUT OF DEBT,

7 MILES TO THE EAST,
LEAVING NOME HARBOR...

NICE, SUNSHINY DAY.
NOT TOO MUCH WIND, BLUE SKIES --

I MEAN, THIS IS A BLUEBIRD DAY
FOR NOME, ALASKA.

Narrator:
...OWNER VERNON ADKISON

AND THE WILD RANGER
ARE HEADING OUT.

THIS YEAR, WE INTEND TO STAY
OUT THERE AROUND THE CLOCK

AS LONG AS THE WEATHER LASTS.

Narrator: EN ROUTE TO
THE TOMCOD CLAIM, VERNON'S CREW

INCUDES HIS FIRSTBORN DAUGHTER,
ELAINE,

AND DIVERS JUSTON COOK
AND SHEM FOGELMAN.

SHEM'S GONNA BE FIRST UP.
HE'S OUR BIRD DOG.

WE'LL PUT HIM DOWN THERE,

AND HE KNOWS HOW TO GO
RIGHT TO THE GOLD.

HE'S ALMOST LIKE GOT
GOLD MAGNETS.

SHEM, WHEN HE'S DOWN THERE,

HE JUST PRODUCES
MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF GOLD.

HE GOT A REPUTATION
OF BEING A TOP DREDGER.

BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM.

[ SPEAKING
INDISTINCTLY ]

[ SMOOCHES ]

...HE'S DATING MY DAUGHTER.

[ SIGHS ]

SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GO
EYES-ON UP FRONT

AND SEE HOW THE HOSE IS HANGING
AND SO FORTH AND SO ON.

ELAINE,
TAKE A LOOK AROUND THE BOAT.

EH.

Narrator:
WHILE TRYING TO TURN A PROFIT

WITH THE WILD RANGER,
THIS SUMMER,

VERNON IS ALSO WAGING
A DIFFERENT KIND OF BATTLE.

I'D LIKE FOR MY DAUGHTERS TO
HAVE A BUSINESS THEY CAN WORK IN

AND BE PRODUCTIVE
AND HAS A FUTURE.

BUT SOMETIMES
IT'S TOUGH WORKING WITH FAMILY.

TURN AND SHOW THAT FACE.

DON'T DO IT!

ELAINE.

YOU DON'T JUST SIT AROUND

AND PLAY MUGWUMPS WITH
YOUR BOYFRIEND AND WHATNOT.

LIKE, IF YOU SEE A JOB,

GET OUT THERE AND LEND A HAND,
MAKING IT FAST.

Vernon: WHAT'S THAT?

THIS IS, LIKE,
BORDERLINE INSULTING.

IT IS, ACTUALLY,
INSULTING.

WOULD YOU DROP
THE DAMN ATTITUDE?

I'M TALKING BUSINESS HERE.

YOU GOT A BAD ATTITUDE,
ELAINE.

I'M NOT TOLERATING
ANY [BLEEP] WISHY-WASHY

[BLEEP] NAMBY-PAMBY
BULL[BLEEP]

[BLEEP]

WHY DON'T YOU JUST PAY ATTENTION
TO WHAT YOU'RE DOING,

AND I'LL DO MY JOB?

QUIT TRYING TO MICROMANAGE

EVERYTHING I [BLEEP] DO
HIS WHOLE LIFE.

"MANY HANDS
MAKE LIGHT WORK."

ANY TIME YOU SEE
SOMEBODY ELSE DOING A JOB,

GO THERE AND PUT YOUR
HAND ON IT AND HELP.

I KNOW HOW TO WORK, DAD.

THAT'S THE WAY
IT WORKS ON BOATS.

THAT'S THE WAY
IT WORKS ANYWHERE!

[ SIGHS ]

IT'S NOT GOOD POLICY
TO DATE ONE OF THE DIVERS.

IT'S GONNA END UP
BEING A SCREWED-UP SITUATION.

ALL RIGHT, STAND BACK.

ALL THOSE BUOYS OUT THERE --
THOSE RED BUOYS --

THAT'S RIGHT WHERE WE WERE
LAST WINTER.

WE KNOW THAT TO BE GOOD GOLD,

SO WE'RE WITHIN
SNIFFING DISTANCE OF IT.

Narrator: AFTER 7 MILES
OF NAMBY-PAMBY MUGWUMPING,

IT'S FINALLY TIME
TO GET SOME GOLD.

REALLY HOPING TO DROP
RIGHT DOWN ON THE GOLD.

LET IT GO.
THERE IT IS.

READY?

Narrator:
WITH JUST 28 OUNCES BANKED

TOWARDS HIS 700-OUNCE GOAL,

VERNON NEEDS EVERY DIVE SHIFT
TO PRODUCE.

Vernon:
WE'RE GONNA PLOP HIM DOWN,

AND IF WE'RE LUCKY, WE'LL DROP
RIGHT DOWN ON TOP OF IT.

FIRST CAT OUT OF THE BOX.

Shem: HERE WE GO.
GETTING SOME GOLD.

IF THIS KNUCKLEHEAD WANTS
TO KEEP DATING MY DAUGHTER,

HE'D BETTER GET DOWN THERE
AND FIND ME SOME GOLD.

Narrator: 7 MILES WEST OF NOME
HARBOR ON THE TOMCOD CLAIM...

OKAY, STANLEY.

WHEN I PULLED THE SPUD
COMPLETELY OUT OF ITS HOLDER,

I HAD TO MAKE A PRETTY QUICK
DECISION

ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SAFETY,
AND I LAID IT DOWN ON THE DECK.

VERY DANGEROUS OUT THERE --

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS
THAT CAN GO WRONG.

Narrator: ALREADY BEHIND

AFTER LOSING PRECIOUS
MINING TIME FIXING HIS SPUD...

Hank: ALL RIGHT,
SEE WHAT WE GOT HERE.

...HANK HAS MOVED
THE BARGE TO NEW GROUNDS.

IF THIS TEST PAN
DOESN'T PAY OFF,

IT'LL MEAN ANOTHER COSTLY DELAY.

THAT'S IT.
I SAY WE'RE ON THE GOLD.

THIS IS WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

IT'S ABOUT PROSPECTING,
LOOKING AROUND --

THAT'S A PRETTY [BLEEP] DAMN
GOOD PAN RIGHT THERE.

THAT'S WHAT
WE'RE LOOKING FOR.

THAT'S THE STUFF.

Hank: WE'RE ON IT RIGHT NOW.

HOPEFULLY WE CAN JUST MINE IT
FOR A LITTLE WHILE --

NOT BREAK A CHAIN
OR BREAK DOWN --

WE CAN JUST GET SOME GOLD.

BEAUTIFUL.

BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL.
A LOT OF GOLD HERE.

I KNOW HOW TO DO THIS,
AND I'M GONNA DO IT,

I'M GONNA CONTINUE TO DO IT,

AND I'M GONNA GET MY 700 OUNCES
THIS YEAR, MAYBE MORE.

MAYBE BEAT CHRISTINE ROSE,
WHO KNOWS.

YOU KNOW, YOU NEVER KNOW.

JUST KEEPING
THIS STUFF RUNNING --

I JUST GOT TO KEEP THIS STUFF
RUNNING.

MAYBE THE GOLD GODS
ARE ON OUR SIDE, AFTER ALL.

Narrator: WHILE HANK
GETS DOWN TO BUSINESS,

6 MILES TO THE EAST

IN THE WEST BEACH
PUBLIC MINING AREA...

OKAY,
SO, HOW'S IT GOING?

IS EVERYTHING OKAY?

Kris: EVERYTHING'S GOOD.

WE GOT ABOUT 6 INCHES
OF OVERBURDEN RIGHT NOW.

A REALLY LIGHT, DECENT CLOUD.

Narrator: FOR FOUR HOURS,

DIVER KRIS KELLY'S BEEN HUNTING
THROUGH SLIM PICKINGS,

LOOKING FOR PAYDAY.

I BET YOU WE'RE GONNA
FIND A HOT SPOT.

I THINK I SEE
A LITTLE BIT OF GOLD.

IT'S CLOUDY, BUT...
I THINK THAT IS GOLD.

THAT'S NOT A LOT, BUT, YOU KNOW,

EVERY COUPLE INCHES
IF YOU FIND SOMETHING LIKE THAT,

YOU WILL PAY SOME BILLS,
LET ME TELL YOU.

OH.

HEY, I THINK ANDY LEFT
ONE DAY TOO EARLY.

MAYBE THE BAD LUCK LEFT THE BOAT
AFTER ALL THE BAD KARMA.

THERE'S A LOT OF FINE HERE.

♪ OH, KRIS IS
ON THE GOLD ♪

Narrator: FINALLY,
FINDING A SPOT WITH GOLD --

ALL THAT'S LEFT IS
TO SUCK IT UP.

1,000 BUCKS A DAY TIMES 100 DAYS
OF DIVING IS $100,000.

$100,000 A YEAR, YOU KNOW,

HANGING OUT IN THE WATER
IS PRETTY GOOD.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH
SUCTION OR SOMETHING, DAD.

I'M NOT EVEN MOVING
A LOT OF MATERIAL.

IT FEELS LIKE I GOT A ROCK JAM.

YOU NEED THE HAMMER?

I'LL GET IT AS IT GOES UP,

BUT EVERY FOOT I DO,
IT GETS CLOGGED AGAIN.

THIS STUBBORN [BLEEP]

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG
WITH THIS HOSE.

Narrator: THIS IS NOT
KRIS' FIRST RUN-IN

WITH HIS DAD'S SHODDY EQUIPMENT.

OVER THE WINTER...

...BRAD'S BARGAIN-BASEMENT GEAR

WAS A CONSTANT THORN
IN KRIS' SIDE.

I THINK HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE
A WOMAN AT BIRTH,

'CAUSE HE SURE COMPLAINS

LIKE A LITTLE GIRL
HALF THE TIME, YOU KNOW.

THIS [BLEEP] PIECE OF [BLEEP]

Narrator: DIFFERENT BOATS,
SAME SONG AND DANCE.

THE ROCK JAM
LOOKS LIKE IT'S CLEARED.

WE'RE GETTING GOOD FLOW.

Kris: THERE, THAT'S GOOD.

THERE'S SOME GOLD
IN THE OVERBURDEN

AND IF THAT'S THE CASE,
I'M REALLY ON THE GOLD TODAY.

SURE, THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

I GOT A ROCK JAM.

I DON'T KNOW HOW --
I'M NOT EVEN WORKING MATERIAL.

I'M NOT PUTTING ONE BIG ROCK
UP THE HOSE.

NOT EVEN ONE.

FLOWING GOOD UP HERE.

AND A BUNCH OF BIG ONES
CAME OUT.

NO, I'M LOOKING RIGHT AT IT.

I CAN.
THEY'RE $1,800.

I'LL HAVE ONE HERE
RIGHT AWAY. $1,800.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN EXCUSED WHY
IT'S THIS, WHY IT'S THAT.

WHY CAN'T IT BE COMFORTABLE
TO WORK DOWN HERE?

WHY DO I HAVE TO BE A [BLEEP]
AND ALWAYS HAVE TO JERK AROUND

WITH THIS STUPID,
GARBAGE EQUIPMENT?

I DON'T WANT YOUR
[BLEEP] LECTURE, OKAY?

Narrator: OFF THE COAST OF NOME
ON THE REAPER...

Kris: YOU KNOW WHAT?

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN EXCUSED WHY
IT'S THIS, WHY IT'S THAT.

WHY CAN'T IT BE COMFORTABLE
TO WORK DOWN HERE?

WHY DO I HAVE TO BE A [BLEEP]
AND ALWAYS HAVE TO JERK AROUND

WITH THIS STUPID,
GARBAGE EQUIPMENT?

I DON'T WANT YOUR
[BLEEP] LECTURE, OKAY?

Narrator: ...ROCK JAMS
AND A CUT-RATE SUCTION HOSE

ARE GETTING THE BEST
OF KRIS KELLY.

LET'S PACK IT UP 'CAUSE
IT'S GETTING ROUGH UP HERE.

YEAH, IT IS.
YEAH, LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.

HE'S PAYING FOR IT.
YEAH, RIGHT.

HEY, IS THIS WHAT
YOU CALL ROUGH?

YEAH, I TOLD YOU
IT'S ROUGH.

YOU'RE A [BLEEP] WIMP.

WELL, I DIDN'T SAY
COME UP.

YOU'RE BITCHING ABOUT
"HOSE, HOSE, HOSE,

WE NEED A NEW HOSE."
WE DO, YOU...

RIGHT NOW,
IN ORDER FOR ME TO DO MY JOB,

I NEED TO INVEST MY OWN MONEY,

'CAUSE MY DAD'S NOT GONNA PUT
ONE [BLEEP] DIME IN IT.

I'M UNDER
A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY

AND A LOT OF PROBLEMS.

I HAVE MY MOM DEPENDING ON ME.

EITHER THE BOAT'S GONNA GO
THE WAY I WANT IT,

OR I'M GONNA HAVE TO
[BLEEP] QUIT,

'CAUSE MY DAD'S JUST GONNA
TAKE ME DOWN WITH HIM,

AND I'M NOT GONNA MAKE ANY GOLD.

AND I'M NOT LETTING THAT
HAPPEN TO ME.

YEAH, IT'S SO ROUGH
NOBODY ELSE IS GOING IN.

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO GO IN.
I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO.

IT IS ROUGH, YOU KNOW.

I'M SORRY YOU DON'T SEE IT
LIKE THAT,

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

NO, I'M NOT.

YOU WANT TO GO BACK
DOWN DIVING, I'M FINE.

WHY? YOU'RE THE ONE
FREAKING OUT ABOUT THE HOSE.

YEAH, THE HOSE IS [BLEEP]
IT'S A PIECE OF [BLEEP]

I'M SICK OF TIRED OF IT.

LET'S GO BACK,
RESET ANCHOR.

I'M COOL TO STAY OUT HERE
ALL DAY.

THEN WHAT WERE YOU
FREAKING OUT ABOUT?

I'M NOT. IT'S YOU [BLEEP]
STRESSING ME OUT CONSTANTLY.

LET'S JUST GO BACK IN.

I DON'T WANT TO WORK
WITH YOU ANY MORE TODAY.

LET'S JUST GO BACK IN.

Brad: THERE'S NO PROBLEMS
WITH THE DREDGE.

IT'S THE BEST DREDGE OUT THERE,
BUT KRIS' DEMEANOR --

DUDE, HE GOES FROM ZERO TO 500
IN TWO SECONDS.

HE CAN'T TALK ABOUT ANY ISSUES,
HE JUST WANTS TO BLOW UP.

THE GUY HAS THE TEMPERAMENT
OF A [BLEEP] MONKEY,

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

I DON'T KNOW IF HIS MOTHER
DROPPED HIM ON HIS HEAD

WHEN HE WAS LITTLE
OR WHAT, YOU KNOW.

Narrator: WHILE THE FIGHTING
KELLYS PACK IT IN FOR THE DAY,

7 MILES WEST,
ON THE TOMCOD CLAIM...

Shem:
WE SEEM TO BE MINING IN AN AREA

WHERE THE CHRISTINE ROSE
HAS BEEN,

BUT YOU KNOW OUR THEORY HERE --
THERE'S PROBABLY SOME GOOD GOLD.

Narrator: AFTER SIX HOURS,

VERNON'S POTENTIAL SON-IN-LAW,
SHEM FOGELMAN,

IS STILL HUNTING
FOR A PAY STREAK.

Vernon: WHEN ELAINE
FIRST STARTED DATING SHEM,

I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT,

AND I PROBABLY
WOULDN'T HAVE HIRED HIM

IF I HAD KNOWN ABOUT IT.

BUT EVERY TIME
HE'S BEEN DOWN THERE,

HE'S COME UP WITH
A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF GOLD.

BEING ON THE GOLD IS THE MOST
IMPORTANT PART, TO ME.

RIGHT NOW, I'M JUST TRYING
TO WORK IN BETWEEN THE SCOOPS,

OR OUTSIDE OF THEM,
TO SEE WHAT WE GOT.

[ GRUNTS ]

[BLEEP]

COME ON, GOLD, WHERE YOU BE?

Narrator: FOR VERNON, REGARDLESS
OF WHOSE BOYFRIEND YOU ARE,

THERE'S ONLY ONE THING
THAT MATTERS.

YOU SEE ANY GOLD
DOWN THERE YET?

Shem: NICE-LOOKING BOTTOM.

OH [BLEEP]
LOOK AT THAT.

CHUNKY, LOOK AT THAT.

OH!

EVERYWHERE.

OKAY, WELL, THAT'S THE BEST NEWS
I HEARD ALL DAY.

ALL RIGHT.
GOOD SHOW.

Vernon: ACCORDING TO WHAT
HE'S SEEING DOWN THERE,

YOU KNOW,
WE'RE ON A GOOD SPOT HERE.

SO WHEN I HEAR
THAT HE'S SEEING IT DOWN THERE,

IT MAKES ME FEEL
A DAMN SIGHT BETTER.

THAT MAKES IT ALL SEEM
WORTHWHILE.

GOT TO GET THAT,
GET THAT GOLD, BOY!

OH, YEAH.

THAT'S THE GOOD STUFF,
RIGHT HERE.

THAT'S PRETTY FANTASTIC.

YOU KNOW THE NAME
OF THE GAME, ELAINE.

WHAT.

[ SIGHS ]

Narrator: WHILE VERNON'S DIVER
IS SUCKING UP A PAYDAY,

ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF NOME,

AT THE POMRENKE
CLEANUP SHACK...

Shawn: START THE WATER.

ON THE GOLD.

THAT'S THE GOLD DANCE.

Narrator: IT'S TIME TO SEE
IF SHAWN AND THE CREW

HAVE SCOOPED UP ENOUGH GOLD

TO PAY FOR THE OLD MAN'S
INLAND-MINING EQUIPMENT.

Shawn: IT LOOKS REALLY GOOD.
I THINK WE KILLED IT.

I'M GONNA SAY 150 OUNCES.

CH-CH-CHING!

ALL 6 BUCKETS DOWN
INTO ONE PRETTY HEAVY BUCKET.

Steve: 20 POUNDS OF GOLD
IN THERE?

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S 20,
BUT...

THERE BETTER BE 20
IN THERE.

I DON'T KNOW. THAT'S PRETTY DAMN
YELLOW, THERE, BOY.

Steve: OH, I'VE BEEN LOVING

THIS HERE CLEANUPS
THAT WE BEEN HAVING,

'CAUSE THERE'S A LOT LEFT OVER
FOR INLAND-MINING EQUIPMENT.

YOU KNOW, 'CAUSE IT TAKES YOU

A MAJOR FORTUNE TO DAMN
GO MINING NOWADAYS.

AND WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO IT

WITHOUT THAT CHRISTINE ROSE
MAKING THAT GOLD OUT THERE.

WE NEED GOLD.
WE NEED GOLD.

Shawn: NOW WE PILE IT UP
AND WATCH IT DANCE.

OOH,
THAT'S A PAN OF GOLD.

Narrator: TO OWN THE LOADERS
FREE AND CLEAR,

SHAWN NEEDS TO SEE A WHOPPING
5 POUNDS OF GOLD ON THE SCALE.

HERE WE GO.

YOU GOT TO PICK UP
THE FUNNEL NOW.

Man: IT'S CLEAN GOLD, TOO.

COME ON.

YEAH.

COME ON.
COME TO PAPA.

IT'S GONNA BE A BIG ONE.

WE MIGHT FILL THIS JAR UP.

WHOA-HO.

Narrator:
IN THE CITY OF NOME...

Kris: THIS IS IT RIGHT HERE.
THIS IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

...AFTER A FAILED FIRST DIVE,

KRIS KELLY IS SPENDING HIS OWN
HARD-EARNED MONEY ON AN UPGRADE.

YOU KNOW WHAT?
THIS WAS WORTH $1,300.

Kris: MY DAD GOT A USED HOSE
THAT'S LIKE 4 OR 5 YEARS OLD.

IT USES MOST OF ITS SUCTION
POWER TO COMPRESS THE HOSE.

SO I BOUGHT THIS NEW BLUE HOSE,
DOESN'T COMPRESS,

IT INCREASES SUCTION
BY AT LEAST 20%.

DAD DOESN'T WANT
TO ADMIT IT,

BUT THIS IS REALLY
GONNA CHANGE THINGS.

REALLY GONNA CHANGE THINGS
FOR US.

LET'S GET SOME CHINESE
OR SOMETHING TONIGHT.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE
A GOOD IDEA.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THINGS
ARE TURNING AROUND.

Narrator:
AT THE POMRENKE CLEANUP SHACK...

Shawn: HERE WE GO.

...SHAWN NEEDS
A MASSIVE 5 POUNDS OR BETTER

TO SECURE SOME INLAND-MINING
EQUIPMENT FOR HIS FATHER, STEVE.

Steve: YOU GOT TO PICK UP
THE FUNNEL NOW.

Man: IT'S CLEAN GOLD, TOO.

COME ON.

YEAH.

COME ON.
COME TO PAPA.

IT'S GONNA BE A BIG ONE.

WE MIGHT FILL THIS JAR UP.

WHOA-HO.

7.14.

Narrator:
7.14 POUNDS OF GOLD.

THAT'S WORTH $125,000.

AND IT'S MORE THAN ENOUGH
TO BUY THOSE LOADERS.

NOW, THAT'S
A GOOD START, GUYS.

NOT TOO MANY BUSINESSES
CAN DO THAT NOWADAYS.

Shawn:
DAD'S GOT GOLD FEVER.

HE TRIES NOT TO SHOW IT,
BUT DAD'S ALWAYS HAD GOLD FEVER.

HE'S IN A GREAT MOOD THIS YEAR.

HE'S BUYING NEW EQUIPMENT TO GO
INLAND MINING, SO HE'S HAPPY.

HE NEEDS HIS BIG TOYS
TO KEEP HIM HAPPY.

DAD -- HELL OF A PLAN,
HELL OF A PLAN.

WE'RE ON THE BEST GOLD
OF THE SEASON RIGHT NOW.

Narrator:
WHILE THE POMRENKES CELEBRATE...

BACK IN THE HARBOR...

YEAH, THAT'S GOLD, BABY.

Narrator: ...AFTER A NEAR
CATASTROPHE WITH A FALLING SPUD,

HANK IS LOOKING
FOR A GOLDEN PICK-ME-UP.

YOU KNOW, I'D LIKE TO SEE
AN OUNCE AN HOUR.

Narrator: WITH 35 HOURS
OF DIGGING ON THE BOX,

THE SKIPPER NEEDS 30 OUNCES
OR BETTER ON THE SCALE

TO STAY ON TRACK.

I WANT TO GET 700 OUNCES.

THAT'S WHAT MY GOAL IS
THIS YEAR.

LET'S GO WEIGH SOME GOLD.

NICE.
OH, THAT'S NICE.

BEAUTIFUL.
NICE AND CLEAN.

NEED MORE.

TIME TO WEIGH.

5½ ALMOST...

7.7...

14...

19.2...

23...

27...

...33.4.

Narrator: 33 OUNCES
IS WORTH ALMOST 40 GRAND.

Hank:
THAT'S AN OUNCE AN HOUR.

Narrator: A NICE SCORE,

BUT IN ORDER TO KEEP UP
WITH THE POMRENKES,

HE'LL NEED TO START
WEIGHING IN POUNDS.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN,
AT VERNON ADKISON'S TRAILER,

IT'S TIME TO FIND OUT
JUST HOW MUCH GOLD

HIS DAUGHTER'S NEW BEAU
HAS RAKED IN.

Vernon: 6...7...8...

...9 OUNCES.

ALL RIGHT.

OH, BOY.

THERE YOU GO.

9.13.

Narrator: ON SOME DREDGES,
DRIVERS ARE ALLOWED TO KEEP

ANY NUGGETS THEY MAY SCOOP UP
FROM THE OCEAN FLOOR.

Vernon: SO IS THAT PART
OF THE COUNT OR NOT?

HOW DO YOU DO PICKERS
YOU FIND ON THE BOTTOM?

ARE THEY YOURS OR DO THEY GO
TOWARDS THE CLEANUP?

WELL, THEY GO
TOWARDS THE CLEANUP,

BUT YOU CAN HAVE DIBS ON THEM,
AND TAKE IT OUT OF YOUR GOLD.

YEAH, THAT'S FINE.

Elaine: HE PICKED IT UP.

HE DIDN'T PICK IT OUT OF THE BOX
IS WHAT HE'S SAYING.

HE PICKED IT UP
OFF THE OCEAN FLOOR.

HE DIDN'T PUT IT
THROUGH THE NOZZLE.

Narrator: NOME DATING TIP --

DON'T TAKE GOLD
FROM YOUR GIRLFRIEND'S DAD.

Elaine: WHAT?

[ SIGHS ]

IT'S FINE.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN...
WAIT, IT'S GOOD.

LET'S PUT IT
TOWARD THE CLEANUP.

I'LL TAKE IT OFF.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

DON'T [BLEEP] WITH ME,
ELAINE.

YOU KNOW.
[BLEEP] OFF, MAN.

QUIT.
HOW AM I [BLEEP] WITH YOU?

OKAY, THE RULE IS
IF YOU FIND PICKERS,

THEY GO IN THE COUNT.

Narrator: THE TOTAL -- NUGGETS
AND ALL, IS WORTH $11,000.

10 OUNCES.
I'M...STOKED.

ACROSS TOWN...

Steve: HOW'S IT GOING?

I'M PAT.
NICE TO MEET YOU.

READY TO BUY
SOME INLAND MACHINERY,

WE AIN'T GOT QUITE ENOUGH MONEY
TO DO THAT.

Narrator:
...SHAWN AND HIS OLD MAN

ARE TURNING GOLD
INTO SOME START-UP CASH.

ALL RIGHT, 16.7 OUNCES.

$60,000 WORK?

YEAH.

WELL, LOADERS
ARE A BIG INVESTMENT --

A SPENDY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT,

BUT WE'RE GETTING A HELL
OF A DEAL ON THEM, SO...

WE ADDED 60 GRAND
TO THE EQUIPMENT PURCHASE,

BUT THAT'S GONNA BE ALL GONE
VERY SHORTLY HERE.

WE COME IN WITH A FULL JAR,
NOW IT'S EMPTY.

NOW I GOT TO GO
FILL IT UP AGAIN.

Narrator: THE GOLD GRABBER
IS CREEPING UP THE BOARD,

WHILE THE POMRENKES HAVE ALREADY
SPENT MUCH OF THEIR TAKE.

Man:
I WANT AN OUNCE AN HOUR!

YES, WE'RE IN THE GOLD, BABY!

AAH!
THE [BLEEP] DO I DO?

IT'S REAL EASY TO TAKE ALL THE
[BLEEP] MONEY SHAWN MAKES...

THEY MEDEVAC'D HER TO ANCHORAGE.

THEY DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S EVEN
GONNA MAKE IT OVERNIGHT.

OH!
[ CRASHES ]

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