Parents' Guide to

Shipwreck Men

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Marine salvage-biz series has lots of salty vocab.

TV Discovery Channel Reality TV 2013
Shipwreck Men Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

SHIPWRECK MEN is a reality series that follows marine salvage and towing companies as they compete for jobs on the waters around Southern Florida. It features Ricky Arnold, Sr., owner of Arnold's Towing and Salvage; Kurt Korpela, the owner of Atlantis Marine; Ryan Sewell, owner of Downrite Marine; and rookie Chuck Hansen, the owner of Fast Response. From towing stalled and/or grounded boats back to the docks, to putting out major fires on yachts and keeping them from sinking, each of the men work hard at any job they get, and attempt to do the job without the Coast Guard intervening for safety reasons. It's not an easy way of life, but one that has a potentially large payout if they're the first to reach the job and can keep their competition at bay.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

They may call themselves "modern-day pirates," but what Shipwreck Men really are is marine towing and salvage business owners. The series offers details about how folks in the industry get the jobs, what defines their payouts, and the dangers associated with the work. What adds drama to the show is the cutthroat competition between the men, which they justify as being the result of a weak economy and long-standing family pride.

Some of the tough-talking cast may not appeal to some, but in-between the rough conversations there are some surprisingly heartwarming discussions about the personal satisfaction this work provides, thanks to their desire to work with family and their love of the seas. Overall, folks who find watching people doing jobs that are slightly out of the ordinary will probably find it interesting.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about some of the unique jobs that revolve around the ocean. Why are jobs like those featured on Shipwreck Men, Lobster Wars, and Bering Sea Gold so competitive?

  • Do you think real life ocean-oriented work is as dramatic as it appears on reality TV? What do these guys have to gain by being on TV?

TV Details

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