You know, searching for gold isn’t easy. Doing it in icy water? Even harder. But that’s exactly what the brave (and crazy) souls on “Bering Sea Gold: Under the Ice” (Fridays at 10:00 p.m. on the Discovery Channel) are up to.
In an exclusive clip from this week’s show, The Clark captain Zeke Tenhoff heads under the ice with a member of his diving crew to check out a new piece of equipment that is capable of sucking up more gold. However, with more equipment comes more danger and the chance to get stuck under the ice.
But Zeke isn’t the only guy hard at work this season. This year”s crew includes:
The Shamrock: Headed by co-owners Shawn and Steve Pomrenke, this father and son team is the most successful operation in Nome. In 2010, the crew carved 3 million in gold off the ocean floor. But can Shawn get his crew on the ice before his father drops the hammer?
The Clark: Led by Zeke Tenhoff, a Nome native, who has been dredging gold for the last six years. Zeke is hoping to put the past year behind him, having endured a disappointing dredging season and the tragic loss of his best friend and partner, John Bunce. Zeke has once again sunk every dime he has into his ice dredging operation that now includes seasoned divers Ian Foster and Rob Hehnlin. He also must face his on-again, off-again love interest Emily Riedel who worked closely with him all last season.
Wild Ranger: Owner Vernon Adkinson has leveraged his entire life”s savings on making his ever-expanding gold operation profitable. After a tumultuous first season and his fallout with fellow dredger Scott Meisterheim, Vernon has a lot on the line. But can he prove that he”s capable to make a dime in the gold mining business?
Steve”s World on Ice: After being fired from the Wild Ranger for the third time this past summer – and ending his friendship with Vernon — Steve Riedel is looking to lead his own crew this winter as well as give Vernon some competition. However, Steve”s true nemesis in Nome is fellow dredger Scott Meisterheim. The two have clashed constantly, resulting in firings and restraining orders. Joining Steve this winter is his daughter, Emily, who is hoping that she will earn enough money one day to escape Nome and become a professional opera singer.
Anchor Management: This past summer, owner Scott Meisterheim struggled with alcoholism that led to a disastrous season and a brief stint in rehab. Scott has debts to pay that are above $150,000. With his investors and debtors hounding him for money, Scott has got to get it together this winter. But will his drinking and tendency to blame others make Scott his own worst enemy?