Bering Sea Gold, Discovery Channel’s long‑running reality series, takes viewers into the demanding world of Nome, Alaska, where miners risk icy waters, shifting ice, and constant mechanical setbacks to dredge for gold. It’s an environment of high stakes and fierce competition, testing even the most seasoned operators. Within this setting, Chris McCully—a television personality, miner, diver, and dredge captain—has steadily made his mark. Introduced to audiences in Season 13, he quickly distinguished himself for his resilience and drive. Today, he is recognized as one of the youngest captains on the Bering Sea, known for his resourcefulness, leadership, and ability to thrive in Nome’s tight‑knit mining community. His journey from a self‑built dredge to leading larger operations embodies both personal determination and the cooperative spirit that defines life on the Bering Sea.

Early Life and Background

Chris McCully was born in the Philippines and raised in Canada, giving him a multicultural upbringing that would later shape his outlook and adaptability. At 18, he made the life‑defining move to Nome, Alaska, a decision that not only set the course for his personal and professional future but also laid the foundation for his eventual role on television. Immersed in Nome’s demanding mining culture, he adapted quickly, showing resilience and commitment that became central to his career. By January 2025, at 32 years old, McCully had accumulated more than 13 years of experience on the Bering Sea, earning recognition as one of the youngest yet most accomplished dredge operators within Nome’s close‑knit mining community.

Mining Career Beginnings

McCully’s career was built from the ground up. With limited resources at the start, he constructed his first dredge from salvaged and discarded equipment, repairing compressors and reworking machinery that others considered scrap. This resourceful approach shaped his reputation for resilience and problem‑solving. In his January 2023 interview on Prospector’s Radio Show, he recalled: 

“My first dredge was basically built off of a dud by just dumpster diving. I would literally go to the city and people would throw in an air compressor … I had to clean the carburetor and guess what? I had my air compressor.” 

He emphasized that starting with nothing forced him to innovate, a mindset he credits as a reason for his later success. Over time, his persistence paid off, and he became operations manager of Bering Subsea Mining, a company tied to his father, Dave McCully.

Role in Nome’s Mining Community

McCully has been directly involved in Nome’s cooperative mining networks, where resources, expertise, and labor are frequently shared between crews. Notably, his father Dave McCully partnered with Shawn Pomrenke, holding joint ownership of key offshore mining leases—some of the most productive claims in the region. This partnership further positioned Chris within Nome’s inner mining circle, extending both his family’s and his own influence in the local industry. His role as operations manager at Bering Subsea Mining tied him directly to the decision‑making core of Nome’s mining economy.

Alongside management duties, Chris also captained a 10‑inch dredge with a 4‑speed Cummins engine, nicknamed Tata. Unlike many small dredges in Nome, Tata was designed for endurance, capable of pushing through heavy currents and long ice seasons. Chris used the dredge extensively for both summer and winter operations, making it a centerpiece of his mining strategy and a symbol of his independence on the Bering Sea. The name Tata reflected a personal tie to one of his father’s partners, blending family and professional life in the unique world of Nome mining.

Beyond his family’s ties with Pomrenke, Chris has built collaborations with multiple Nome miners. While not employed directly by Shawn Pomrenke, their crews frequently exchanged equipment, labor, and resources, underscoring the interdependent nature of Nome’s mining community. In 2023, Chris also led his own dedicated crew, including Wilson Hogendorn and John Culp, further cementing his role as both a leader and a collaborator in Nome’s mining culture.

Bering Sea Gold and Discovery Channel

Chris McCully entered Bering Sea Gold in Season 13 (2021), when Discovery introduced him as “the youngest captain making waves on the Bering Sea.” His first major spotlight came in Season 13, Episode 13, during a head‑to‑head showdown with Kris Kelly when each diver had five hours to dredge, with the outcome decided at the sluice boxes. A hose failure nearly cut McCully’s effort short, but he quickly repaired it, returned underwater, and hauled enough gold to silence doubts that he was just another rookie. His growing presence on the show culminated in January 2023, when he signed a contract with Discovery Channel to become a regular cast member starting with Season 16. His first full season showcased his work in the high-risk “Under the Ice” episodes, where he led a team that included Wilson Hogendorn and John Culp. Notably, Culp had narrowly escaped a dredge sinking incident—a rescue in which McCully himself played a critical role.

Since then, Chris has been a regular fixture on the series, with his visibility and influence expanding season after season. During the Season 17 ice season, McCully reportedly pulled in 233.5 ounces of gold, valued at roughly $420,000—a haul that placed him among the top earners on the show. In another winter cleanout featured on the series, his crew recovered 14.1 troy ounces (≈439 grams) of gold in a single run, worth more than $32,000 at the time. The narrator highlighted it as “the biggest cleanout by anyone in the fleet so far this winter,” a milestone also featured in a Discovery Channel YouTube clip published September 26, 2024, titled “Chris’ Biggest Gold Haul of the Season.”

As of August 2025, he continues as a central cast member in Season 19 of Bering Sea Gold, cementing his place as a key figure in the franchise’s ongoing narrative.

Ice Mining Expertise

Specializing in ice mining, McCully has developed unmatched expertise in this niche over more than 13 years. He estimates having drilled “miles and miles” of ice holes—over 20,000 feet—throughout his career. Favoring a 10-inch auger over traditional chainsaws for speed and efficiency, McCully made this method central to his practice.

Rescue Efforts

McCully played a direct role in rescue efforts during a near‑sinking incident involving John Culp’s crew. Alongside other miners, he helped avert disaster, an episode that illustrated the interdependence of Nome’s small mining community.

Personal Life

Since age 18, Nome has been McCully’s permanent home. Born in the Philippines and raised in Canada, with his adult life rooted in Alaska, he reflects a multicultural background connected to his mining career and community life. Rather than separating the personal from the professional, his years in Nome show how tightly both are intertwined—his work, friendships, and daily living all shaped by the realities of Bering Sea mining.

As for his personal relationships, McCully has kept most details private. While fans often speculate about whether he is married or has children, he has not publicly confirmed a spouse or family life on the show or in interviews. As of 2025, no verified information about his marriage, partner, or children has been made public.

Net Worth (as of 2025)

Chris McCully has never disclosed his earnings publicly, but estimates can be modeled from his gold hauls, television work, and management roles. His income comes from three main sources: mining profits, Discovery Channel pay, and his role with Bering Subsea Mining. In Bering Sea Gold Season 17, he reportedly pulled in 233.5 ounces of gold (≈$420,000 gross). After operating costs of 40–60%, his retained share likely landed in the low six figures. Over more than a decade, cumulative net profits from mining plausibly range between $700,000 and $1.2 million.

As a regular Discovery cast member since Season 16, he likely earns $50,000–$120,000 per season, while prior recurring appearances and management pay add further income. With dredge equity, supporting gear, and typical seasonal savings, McCully’s modeled net worth in 2025 is estimated at around $500,000, with a likely range of $400,000 to $650,000 depending on gold yields, costs, and TV contracts.

Key Facts (as of 2025)

• Full Name: Chris McCully
• Born: Philippines
• Raised: Canada
• Age: 32 (as of January 2025)
• Residence: Nome, Alaska (since age 18)
• Profession: Gold miner, operations manager at Bering Subsea Mining
• TV Career: Recurring on Bering Sea Gold since Season 13; regular cast member since Season 16 (2023)
• Dredge: 10-inch dredge with 4-speed Cummins engine, nicknamed Tata
• Specialty: Ice mining (13+ years’ experience)
• Known For: Rescue role in dredge sinking incident involving John Culp’s crew