What Happened to Ken Kerr from Bering Sea Gold?

Ken Edward Kerr, born in July 1960, is a professional gold miner, reality TV personality, and co-owner of Arctic Sea Mining, LLC. As of 2025, he is 64 years old. Kerr gained national attention as the captain of the Myrtle Irene, one of the largest dredges to ever appear on Discovery Channel’s hit show Bering Sea Gold. The show chronicles the lives of dredge captains and crews as they battle harsh Arctic conditions and mounting financial pressures to extract gold from the seafloor off the coast of Nome, Alaska. Its blend of rugged survival, high-stakes rivalry, and real-world mining challenges has helped make Bering Sea Gold a staple of Discovery’s adventure lineup.

Ken brought decades of mining experience when he entered the Nome, Alaska scene. Alongside business partner Dave Young, he co-founded Arctic Gold Mining and quickly became a central figure in the competitive world of offshore gold dredging. He made his on-screen debut in Season 10 (2019), where his commanding presence and rivalry with Shawn Pomrenke stood out.

Career Highs: Myrtle Irene, Record Hauls & Gold Rush Glory

One of Ken Kerr’s most memorable seasons highlighted just how dominant the Myrtle Irene could be when operating at full capacity. With the dredge pushing through long nights and unpredictable seafloor conditions, Ken and his crew managed to chase—and often reach—massive gold targets. At one point, the team celebrated a cleanup worth over 156 ounces, valued at more than $187,000, after digging through challenging layers of clay, gravel, and sand in their search for a rich pastry streak.

Kerr’s leadership, alongside business partner Dave Young and operations manager George Young, brought structure and drive to their offshore mission. As Ken put it during one of those high-performing runs,

“It’s the next bucket that keeps you going. Like if you’re playing slot machines… we’re gonna hit the big one.”

His passion and persistence in the hunt for gold added intensity to the show and made him one of the most ambitious captains on the Bering Sea.

Kerr’s flagship vessel, the Myrtle Irene, was a 600-ton monster dredge equipped to handle industrial-scale operations. Under his leadership, the vessel produced substantial gold hauls—frequently pulling in hundreds of thousands of dollars in raw gold during a single season. At his peak, Ken was considered one of Nome’s most formidable miners, rivaling even the Pomrenke dynasty.

His willingness to invest in large-scale equipment, hire experienced divers and operators, and take financial risks positioned him as a major player in Nome’s gold rush renaissance. However, not all of his ventures turned to gold.

Legal Trouble and Dredge Setbacks

In 2018, Arctic Sea Mining became embroiled in controversy when a cable placed across Port Road—allegedly by Ken’s company—caused a car accident involving three teenagers. The victims filed a lawsuit demanding over $100,000 in damages. Although the lawsuit was later resolved privately, the incident tarnished Ken’s image and raised questions about safety practices.

Meanwhile, pushing the Myrtle Irene to extremes led to mechanical issues, delays, and mounting costs. Several operations were stalled due to technical problems, fueling rumors of behind-the-scenes tension with crew members and business associates.

Why Did Ken Kerr Leave Bering Sea Gold?

By Season 13 (2021), Ken Kerr’s appearances on Bering Sea Gold became noticeably limited, fueling speculation about his departure from the series. He appeared briefly in Episode 2 (“A Dredge Full of Dollars”), where he mentioned a shift toward beach mining while interacting with Emily Riedel during a scene that also featured a light moment about his dog, Naomi. This scene aligned with a broader Season 13 theme where several miners, including Rick, were shown pursuing gold through West Beach operations. His role in the show continued to diminish, with only a short appearance in Episode 7 (“The Claim Dating Game”) later that season. With neither Ken Kerr nor Discovery Channel offering public clarification, questions around his quiet exit have lingered—adding to the mystery and fan speculation surrounding his departure from Bering Sea Gold. He also handed over control of the Myrtle Irene to Shawn Pomrenke, though no formal explanation was given on the show regarding the circumstances of this transition.

This sudden and unexplained departure sparked speculation:

• Legal complications may have discouraged producers from continuing his storyline.
• Operational performance had declined due to repeated mechanical failures and reduced gold yields.
• Creative direction of the show may have shifted away from Kerr’s narrative arc.

Neither Discovery nor Ken Kerr released an official statement, leading fans to wonder about the true reason behind his exit.

Is Ken Kerr Still Alive?

Yes—Ken Kerr is alive and, as of 2025, is believed to be living in Oxnard, California. Since stepping away from Bering Sea Gold, he has kept a notably low public profile, with no verified reports of health issues or further legal troubles beyond what aired during his time on the show. Despite his quiet withdrawal from television, Kerr reportedly remains co-owner of Arctic Gold Mining and is thought to be engaged in land-based mining operations away from the cameras.

In addition to his business ventures, Kerr is also believed to retain a stake in the offshore Tomcod claim near Nome—a historically gold-rich area—further indicating that his ties to the local mining industry remain intact.