Deadliest Catch Captain Phil Harris Dies at 53

Captain Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie on Deadliest Catch has died.

Sons Jake and Josh Harris broke the news on the Discovery Channel show's official site, where updates on Harris had been posted since his January 30 stroke.

"It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad - Captain Phil Harris. Dad has always been a fighter and continued to be until the end. For us and the entire crew, he was someone who never backed down."

"We will forever remember and celebrate that strength. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. - Jake and Josh Harris"

Harris, who was 53, was based out of Seattle, suffered a stroke during an offload of crab. He was found unconscious in a stateroom, was airlifted to Anchorage for 12 grueling hours of surgery, then placed in a medically induced coma.

R.I.P. Phil Harris with sons Josh and Jake.

He had shown signs of improvement last week, squeezing hands and even telling his doctors and nurses, in his signature gruff style, to not "f--k things up."

Phil Harris, a fisherman for 32 years, was a co-owner of the Cornelia Marie, which he'd captained for 18 years; Jake and Josh work on the ship as deck hands.

Fans reached out Tuesday night on the show's message boards, where comments have been posted since Phil Harris fell ill, offering condolences to the family.

The Discovery Channel said in a statement that Phil "more than someone on our TV. Phil was a devoted father and loyal friend to all who knew him. We will miss his straightforward honesty, wicked sense of humor and enormous heart."

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Phil Harris Continues to Make Progress

He may host Deadliest Catch, but Phil Harris isn't letting the Grim Reaper catch up with him.

The reality TV star is making major progress after suffering a stroke last week. He's now breathing on his own.

A family source told TMZ that doctors are "extremely impressed" with Harris' progress. So are we.

The sea captain had been using breathing tubes to help circulate oxygen through his body, but these have now been removed and his motor skills are returning to normal.

Moreover, Harris has regained feeling in the left side of his body... and he's cursing like, well, a sailor. That's a good sign.

Harris hopes to move home as soon as possible. We'll let you know when this happens.

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Phil Harris Emerges From Coma, Tells Doctors "Don't F*%k Up"

Stroke? What stroke?

Deadliest Catch Captain Phil Harris woke up from a medically induced coma yesterday, according to reports, and even did so with typically salty flair.

Sons Jake and Josh Harris, who are also featured on the Discovery Channel series with their dad, said he "showed some good signs of improvement."

Jake and Josh say he was "squeezing our hands and even summoning his trademark captain's bluntness by telling doctors and nurses, 'Don't f--k up.'"

Somehow not surprising!

Here's wishing Phil Harris (middle) a speedy, salty recovery.

The elder Harris, a Deadliest Catch fixture since the show's launch, was found unconscious during an offload of crab (it's in season) late last week.

He was airlifted to Anchorage, Alaska, where endured 12 hours of surgery and the Cornelia Marie skipper was placed in a medically induced coma.

Harris had been placed in a coma to reduce brain swelling.

The stroke he suffered occurred near St. Paul Island, Alaska. The Emmy-winning Deadliest Catch takes place there and on the high seas, of course.

Get well soon, Phil!

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